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Stalking Affects Millions In U.S.

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The Associated Press

Published: January 14, 2009

About 3.4 million Americans identified themselves as victims of stalking during a one-year span, say federal crime experts who on Tuesday released the largest-ever survey of the phenomenon.

About half the victims experienced at least one unwanted contact per week from a stalker, and 11 percent had been stalked for five or more years, according to the report by the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics. It covered a 12-month period in 2005-06.

The researchers defined stalking as conduct - occurring at least twice - that would cause a reasonable person to be fearful. Women were far more likely than men to be stalking victims.

More than a third of victims reported being followed or spied upon.

66

Percentage of stalking incidents involving unwanted phone calls. The next most commonly reported types were having rumors spread about the victim (36 percent) or unsolicited letters or e-mail (31 percent).

Nearly 75

Percentage of victims who knew their stalker in some capacity - most commonly a former spouse boyfriend or girlfriend.

46

Percentage of victims who said they feared not knowing what would happen next. The next most common fears included concern that the stalking would continue indefinitely (29 percent) and death was a possibility (9 percent).

34

Number of stalking victims per 1,000 who were divorced or separated - the most victimized group.

The Associated Press

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