Resources & Services
Stalking
WHAT IS STALKING?
Stalking is defined as threats, along with repeated harassing behavior, such as:
- Following a person
- Appearing at a person's home, call or work
- Making harassing phone calls and emails
- Leaving written messages or objects
- Vandalizing a person's property
It can include the use of regular mail, email, instant messaging, or faxes. (See legal definition at end of document).
Anyone can be stalked, including college students from any economic, ethnic, or religious group. A few victims are picked at random by their stalker, but most stalking victims know their stalker, usually having had some type of present or past relationship. The perpetrator can be an intimate partner or former partner, classmate, roommate, or other acquaintance. A victim can be stalked for several days or for many years. The stalker's actions can also affect family, friends, and co-workers. Stalking and criminal harassment can be difficult to distinguish. Talk to one of the resources listed in this pamphlet for help.
HOW DO I KNOW IT IS STALKING?
Every time I went to my Poli Sci class, this guy would sit next to me. He kept trying to talk to me even though I told him I wasn't interested. Then he started showing up everywhere-outside my residence hall, in the Campus Center, even in the library, and threatening me if I don't go out with him. Am I being paranoid?
I dated this woman a couple of times but then wasn't interested in seeing her again. She said someone would get hurt if I broke up with her. "If I can't have you, no one else can," she told me. We weren't in contact for a while, but now she keeps sending me emails. Sometimes I don't answer her. I changed my address but she found out what the new one was. I wish she would stop.
Two weeks ago someone left me an anonymous "secret admirer" note in the library in one of my books while I was studying. Last week I was studying in the Campus Center and got up to stretch. When I came back, I found a cup of coffee with a note, "I am always watching you." This morning there were flowers outside my room. My friends don't know who is doing this and it feels creepy!
The absence of a threat means that this last example does not meet the legal definition of stalking. However it might have the same impact. If you or someone you know is experiencing a similar situation, please get help by contacting any of the resources listed in this brochure for more information.
IF YOU FEEL FRIGHTENED OR UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT SOMEONE'S SPECIFIC BEHAVIOR, PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR INSTINCTS! SEEK HELP!
WHAT CAN A STALKING VICTIM DO?
- Talk to one of the resources listed in this brochure for help.
- Report the stalking to the Tufts University Police, or the police in your area, and follow their advice.
- Inform others close to you (family, friends, residential life staff, co-workers) about the stalking.
- Do your best to safely avoid all contact with the stalker.
- Keep a journal or log of all incidents connected to the stalking.
- Keep any letters, packages, taped telephone messages, or emails received from the stalker.
- Provide police with photographs of the suspect, a description and other information.
- Inform the Dean of Students Office and learn about other options including a Stay Away Order/Campus Contract, safe housing and privacy requests at the university.
- Follow basic safety tips.
- Try not to walk alone.
- Know your surroundings: where emergency phones and panic buttons are located
- Lock your car and house doors when alone
- Used different routes to drive or walk to class or other routine places.
- Park your vehicle in well-lit areas.
- Check your vehicle including front and rear passenger seat areas before getting in.
- Change locks to your home and car.
- Use the safety escort program by calling the campus police.
STAY AWAY ORDER/CAMPUS CONTRACT
DEAN OF STUDENT'S OFFICE
The University takes concerns or complaints of harassment seriously and university officials will offer several different options to students who are experiencing unwanted attention. An important resource is the Judicial Affairs Officer who can advise you about your options, including the campus Stay Away Order. For more information, contact the Judicial Affairs Officer in the Dean of Students Office.
RESTRAINING ORDERS
There are several types of restraining orders that can be obtained through the police.
- A RESTRAINING ORDER (209A) is a court order issued by a judge that requires your past or present boyfriend, girlfriend, roommate, or blood relative to stop abusing you or face criminal penalties. There are a number of requirements that need to be met in order for a victim to apply for a criminal restraining order.
- A CIVIL STAY AWAY ORDER is a type of restraining order, available to someone who is being abused or stalked by a non partner/roommate/relative. Please call the Tufts University Police Department for more information about either order.
ON-CAMPUS RESOURCES
TUFTS UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT Emergency Line: 617-627-6911 or x 66911, Business Line: 617-627-3030
SSARA-Student Sexual Assault Response Assistance 617-627-7272
SSARA is a group of students who have had special training in responding confidentially to sexual assault and relationship violence. Someone is on call 24/7 during the academic year.
COUNSELOR ON-CALL 617-627-3030
Campus police will anonymously page the counselor on-call for you. One of the counseling staff is on call 24-hours a day. The on-call counselor is a trained professional who can offer you emotional support and assist you in getting the help you need. You are not required to give your name.
THE DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE 617-627-3158
See the description of services listed under Stay Away Order/Campus Contracts. The Judicial Affairs Officer is located in the Dean of Students Office.
SEXUAL ASSAULT RESOURCE COORDINATOR (SARC) 617-627-3350 WAIT FOR VOICEMAIL PROMPT
The SARC is available during business hours. Her office is at Health Service. The coordinator can provide emotional support and coordinate contact with other resources. She can provide information about options available and can assist you in the process of making choices. All contacts are confidential.
COUNSELING CENTER 617-627-3360
The Counseling Center staff provides confidential counseling and support for students. Being stalked or harassed is a traumatic experience. Students often find professional counseling helps them understand, cope, and recover from the effects of this trauma.
HEALTH SERVICE 617-627-3350
The Health Service has experienced clinicians who can listen to your concerns and help connect you with the right resources. All contacts are confidential.
THE WOMEN'S CENTER 617-627-4640
The Women's Center staff can provide counseling, information and resources related to issues of violence for women and men. Women's Center staff work closely with staff from the Africana, the Asian American, the International, the Latino, and the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Centers and have information and resources specific to those communities.
OFF-CAMPUS RESOURCES
VICTIM RIGHTS LAW CENTER 617-399-6720
The Center provides free legal assistance to victims of sexual assault.
CASA MYRNA 800-992-2600
Casa Myrna provides 24-hour confidential counseling, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and support. Culturally diverse resources for victims of domestic violence are available.
SAFELINK STATEWIDE HOTLINE 877-785-2020
Safelink is a 24-hour, live hotline, providing crisis intervention, safety planning, and support.
FOR CULTURALLY SPECIFIC OFF-CAMPUS RESOURCES
Contact Peggy Barrett, Director, Women's Center 617-627-4640 or email: peggy.barrett@tufts.edu
The Massachusetts General Law Chapter 265: Section 43. Stalking (Felony) states:
"Whoever (1) willfully and maliciously engages in a knowing pattern of conduct or series of acts over a period of time directed at a specific person which seriously alarms or annoys that person and would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress, and (2) makes a threat with the intent to place the person in imminent fear of death or bodily injury, shall be guilty of the crime of stalking...Such conduct, acts or threats described in this paragraph shall include, but not be limited to, conduct, acts or threats conducted by mail or by use of a telephonic or telecommunication device including, but not limited to, electronic mail, internet communications and facsimile communications."
Because the element of threat is often difficult to prove, another law was instituted: Massachusetts General Law Criminal Harassment, Chapter 265: Section 43A (misdemeanor). It states:
"(a) Whoever willfully and maliciously engages in a knowing pattern of conduct or series of acts over a period of time directed at a specific person, which seriously alarms that person and would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress, shall be guilty of the crime of criminal harassment...."