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Governor Granholm has proclaimed
January 2007 as the third annual Stalking Awareness Month in Michigan.
Unfortunately, stalking is not a rare or unusual crime and most victims
know their stalker. In fact, a 1998 National
Institute of Justice study entitled, "Stalking in America"
revealed that 59 percent of female stalking victims are stalked by a current
or former intimate partner and that the average duration of stalking is
nearly two years. Stalking Awareness Month provides an opportunity for
agencies funded by the Michigan
Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board - to raise awareness
about this critical issue and let survivors know that help is available.
Michigan defines stalking as, "...a 'willful course
of conduct' involving repeated or continuing harassment of another individual
that would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated,
threatened, harassed, or molested, and that actually causes the victim
to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed or molested."
[MCLA
750.411h]
Stalking can take many forms, such as:
- Following or appearing within the sight of the targeted
victim.
- Approaching or confronting the targeted victim in a
public or private place.
- Appearing at the workplace or residence of the targeted
victim.
- Entering or remaining on the targeted victim's property.
- Contacting the targeted victim by telephone.
- Sending mail or electronic mail to the targeted victim.
- Using recently developed technology such as cell phones,
computers or surveillance equipment to keep tabs on the targeted victim.
MDVPTB funds 44 domestic violence agencies, all of which
provide services for stalking victims. Services can include advocacy within
the justice system, counseling and support groups. These programs cover
all 83 counties in Michigan. To locate a program in your area, click
here.
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The Michigan Resource Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence
(MRCDSV) is a unique collection of over 3,500 books and 300 videos on
domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, violence prevention, nonprofit
management, medical and legal response to violence against women, public
policy and much more.
Check out the resources available by visiting the Web
site www.mcadsv.org/mrcdsv
or by calling (517) 381-4663.
The MRCDSV is a joint project of the Michigan
Domestic Violence Prevention Treatment Board (MDVPTB) and the Michigan
Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, with MDVPTB being
the primary owner and funder of the collection.
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