Stalking

What is Stalking?

In New Hampshire Stalking is defined by RSA 633:3-a.  Stalking is a course of conduct targeted at a specific person which would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her personal safety or the safety of a member of that person's immediate family, and the person is actually placed in such fear.

Stalking is serious, often violent, and can escalate over time.

Some things stalkers do:

  • Follow you and show up wherever you are.
  • Send unwanted gifts, letters, cards, or e-mails.
  • Damage your home, car, or other property.
  • Monitor your phone calls or computer use.
  • Use technology, like hidden cameras or global positioning systems (GPS), to track where you go.
  • Drive by or hang out at your home, school, or work.
  • Threaten to hurt you, your family, friends, or pets.
  • Find out about you by using public records or online search services, hiring investigators, going through your garbage, or contacting friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers.
  • Posting information or spreading rumors about you on the Internet, in a public place, or by word of mouth.
  • Other actions that control, track, or frighten you.

You are not to blame for a stalker's behavior.

If you are being stalked, you may:

  • Feel fear of what the stalker will do.
  • Feel vulnerable, unsafe, and not know who to trust.
  • Feel anxious, irritable, impatient, or on edge.
  • Feel depressed, hopeless, overwhelmed, tearful, or angry.
  • Feel stressed, including having trouble concentrating, sleeping, or remembering things.
  • Have eating problems, such as appetite loss, forgetting to eat, or overeating.
  • Have flashbacks, disturbing thoughts, feelings, or memories.
  • Feel confused, frustrated, or isolated because other people don't understand why you are afraid.

These are common reactions to being stalked.

What do you do if you are being stalked:

  • If you are in immediate danger, call 911.  If you are not in immediate danger contact the UNH Police Department at (603) 862-1427.
  • Don’t downplay the danger.  If you feel unsafe, you probably are.
  • Do not communicate with your stalker.
  • Tell family, friends and others you trust about the stalking and seek their support.
  • Keep a log of all incidents; including their time, date, place and other details you may find important.  Stalking is a course of conduct; police must establish that for their case.  Keep all emails, phone messages, letters, notes or social media messages.  Photograph anything of yours the stalker damaged or any injuries they may have caused.  Keep this log in a safe place and out of access to the stalker.
  • Consider getting a Protective Order from the court.  The UNH Police Department and the UNH Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program (SHARPP) can assist you in obtaining one.
  • Talk to someone at the UNH Sexual Harrassment and Rape Prevention Program (SHARPP) .  SHARPP is a University of New Hampshire program dedicated to providing free and confidential advocacy to survivors of sexual assault, initmate partner violence, sexual harrassment, and stalking.  SHARPP provides support and services to survivors as well as friends, families and allies who may be affected by the trauma, and/or looking for ways to support someone about whom they care.

If you feel you or someone you know are the victim of stalking contact the UNH Police Department and SHARPP, and we can discuss your options. 

For more information on Stalking visit the Stalking Resource Center.  Much of the information for this site was derived from the Stalking Resource Center.

(Adapted from UNH SHARPP)