The month of January is Stalking Awareness Month, and SOS Outreach Prevention Coordinator Danielle Armitage says the best form of prevention is being able to recognize the act before it happens.
During an interview with KVOE on Monday, Armitage stated that stalking is a pattern of behavior that causes a person to feel fear, emotional distress or concern for their safety. Armitage says that stalking cases typically occur between individuals who know each other.
According to recent statistics, 1 in every 5 women and 1 in every 10 men will or have experienced some form of stalking in their lifetime. Contrary to popular belief, stalking does not only occur in person, as Armitage notes, but the act has also evolved and expanded over the years, with most modern forms of stalking occurring virtually.
When it comes to combating stalking, Armitage says it is important to believe victims if they come forward, but to also keep a vigilant eye out for concerning patterns of behavior that some may not recognize as stalking until it’s too late.
For more information on stalking awareness month, visit SOSKansas.com or find SOS on Facebook. If you, or someone you know, requires services, you can contact SOS by calling the agency’s 24-hour helpline at 800-825-1295 or by texting SOSKS to 847411.
