Assisting Students in Need:
Stalking-like Behavior

Identifying the Problem:

Stalking-like behavior may be best defined as unwanted pursuit. Stalking-like behavior can reflect many different behaviors including:

• Following or surveillance

• Inappropriate approaches and confrontations

• Appearing at a place of work or residence

• Unwanted telephone calls

• Unwanted letters

• Unwanted email

• Unwanted or threatening gifts

• Threats

• Threats to family and friends

• Damage to property

• Physical assault

• Sexual assault

Below are guidelines about how to respond if you suspect that you are being stalked or information to provide to a student, faculty, or staff member that is concerned about being stalked.

How to Respond:

1. Get advice from a University or other resource below.

2. Tell the stalker "no" in regards to the unwanted behavior once and only once. Do not give him or her the satisfaction of a reaction again. The more you respond, the more you teach him or her that his or her actions will elicit a response.

3. Do not respond to email (a "returned unread" email is a response).

4. Document everything. Keep tapes from answering machines, letters, gifts, etc. Keep a log of any suspicious occurrences. This documentation will increase your ability to take disciplinary or legal action if necessary.

5. Depending on the extent of these behaviors certain actions may be necessary. Report the individual by calling 911 or by contacting the Department of Public Safety (DPS): 763-1131. You may consider a personal protection (restraining) order (see below).

Personal Protection (Restraining) Orders:

Many stalking victims are routinely told to get personal protection orders (ppo). Unfortunately, a ppo is no guarantee that the stalker will stop or that the police will be able to intervene. Some stalkers such as former intimate-partner stalkers who are very invested in the relationship and stalkers suffering from delusional thinking are unlikely to respect restraining orders. Sometimes a personal protection order can worsen the situation. However a ppo can also allow the police to intervene and remove the stalker if he or she violates an order. Discuss the Pros and Cons of restraining orders with one of the resources below before seeking one. Stalking is a misdemeanor in Michigan and aggravated stalking is a felony.

Resources:

For Advice:

1. Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center: 998-9368, 24-Hour Crisis: 936-3333

2. Counseling and Psychological Services: 764-8312
   If the student is known patient at CAPS, CAPS personnel would not be able to provide information regarding the patient to you without a release, but they are able to listen to any information that you wish to provide. However, be aware that in most cases, the source of this information may need to be shared with the patient for any meaningful intervention to occur.

3. Office of Institutional Equity: 763-0235
   To consult and/or report possible sexual harassment.

4. Stalking Victim Helpline: (517) 543-3775

5. SafeHouse Center: 995-5444

6. Student Legal Services: 763-9920

For Reporting:

1. Ann Arbor Police Department: 994-2875

2. Department of Public Safety: 763-1131

Web Resources:

1. Stalking or harassing another person is in violation of the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities:
   http://www.oscr.umich.edu/statement

2. A Citizen’s Guide to Michigan’s Anti-Stalking Laws
   http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/Stalking_Brochure_2_175588_7.pdf

3. The National Center for Victims of Crime-Stalking Resource Center:
   http://www.ncvc.org

4. The Antistalking Website:
   http://www.antistalking.com