January is National Stalking Awareness Month

Stalking is its own crime with its own risks, safety planning needs, and legal responses. Many stalking victims do not use the words “stalking” or “fear” to describe their experience(s). They are more likely to say something like, “… my ex is bothering me,” or “… an old coworker is being weird,” or “… my neighbor is harassing me.”

Victims respond to trauma differently, and may present as annoyed, frustrated, angry, or show no emotion at all rather than appearing scared. These are some screening questions (see graphics below) to better assess if a victim is experiencing stalking. These categories overlap and build on each other. (Source: Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center.)

As a reminder, the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu Compliance Hui is sponsoring National Stalking Awareness Month throughout January. The Compliance Hui placed yellow rings — yellow is the official color of stalking awareness — throughout the campus. The Compliance Hui will also be posting weekly stalking awareness information throughout January here in the Makahaiwaʻa bulletin and on its social media accounts. Follow @UHWOCompliance on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

To be entered into the Compliance Hui’s random drawing this week (Jan. 25-31), share its Jan. 25 social media post to any of your social media platforms and tag @UHWOCompliance. One entry equals one share per social media platform. Don’t forget to tag @UHWOCompliance!

For more information or assistance regarding stalking, please contact UH West Oʻahu Title IX Coordinator Beverly Baligad at bbaligad@hawaii.edu or 808-689-2934, or UH Confidential Advocate Leslie Cabingabang at leslie.cabingabang@hawaii.edu or 808-348-0432.

For emergencies, please contact UH West Oʻahu Security at 808-689-2911.

Check out stalkingawareness.org for more stalking awareness resources and materials.