January is National Stalking Awareness Month, a time to mobilize against a dangerous crime. This years theme, “Stalking: Know It. Name It. Stop It.” calls our nation to stop this crime by learning more about it. In July 2003 the National Center for Victims of Crime went before Congress and told the story of Peggy Klinke, who had been murdered by a stalker in California several months earlier. Their briefing focused on strategies for strengthening law enforcement’s response to stalking and also on efforts to create awareness of the issue. Soon after this briefing a Congressional resolution was passed to support a National Stalking Awareness Month. The following January, the National Center for Victims of Crime launched the first observance of National Stalking Awareness Month. Stalking on college campuses is occurring at an alarming rate. College students (persons aged 18-24) are at greater risk of being stalked than any other population. According to a recent National Victimization of College Women Survey, more than one in eight, or 13 percent, of female college students surveyed had been stalked within a six month period. Why college campuses? Buildings and residence halls provide relatively easy access, students tend to follow predictable schedules (i.e. attending classes, meal times, practice times, etc.) week after week, they are relatively closed communities where daily routines can be easily monitored and the numerous social opportunities offered can make students more vulnerable to stalking. Compounding the problem on campuses is the fact that there is a shockingly low reporting rate among students. The NVCW survey found that 83 percent of students who were stalked did not notify campus authorities. The two main reasons given for not reporting were that students either thought they would not be taken seriously or that they were not aware that the unwanted behavior was a crime. In most cases the victim knows who the stalker is. Most have dated or been involved with the person who is stalking them. The majority of cases are men stalking women, but men do stalk men, women do stalk women and women do stalk men. For further information or to schedule a presentation for your group or residence hall please contact Wesleyan Public Safety Lieutenant Verrillo at 860-685-2818. You can also visit the National Center for Victims of Crime Stalking Resource Center at www.ncvc.org/src . Remember, This is Your Campus, Help Us Keep it Safe.