URBANA, Illinois – January is National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM), and this year marks the 20th anniversary of organizations around the country spreading awareness of the crime of stalking.
According to Illinois law, stalking is a crime where someone knowingly engages in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety, the safety of another person or suffer emotional distress.
The Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center (SPARC) estimates that 1 in 10 undergraduate women and 1 in 33 undergraduate men are victims of stalking.
In 2022, UIPD received 72 reports of stalking. If you or someone you know may be a victim of stalking, resources are available. Visit wecare.illinois.edu to explore those resources, or contact Public Safety to get in touch with someone who can help you find what you need.
UIPD takes a victim-centered approach that puts the survivor in control of stalking, domestic violence and sexual assault investigations.
If you are not comfortable approaching the police, there are many resources- locally and nationally- that are available to help you through the process.
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