Stalking

Stalking can be a confusing and difficult crime to recognize, categorize, and understand. The staff at the Survivor Advocacy Center of the Finger Lakes are here to offer information, guidance, and support.

Legally, stalking is defined as:
A pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others; or suffer substantial emotional distress.

While some of the behaviors that make up the crime of stalking are criminal on their own (like property damage), some may not be. Even if the behavior is not a crime on its own (like texting excessively), it may be part of the pattern of stalking behavior and you may want to consider documenting and reporting it.

Stalkers use a variety of tactics to intimidate and scare their victims, including (but not limited to): unwanted contact including phone calls, texts, and contact via social media; unwanted gifts; showing up/approaching an individual or their family/friends; monitoring; surveillance; property damage; and threats.

Many victims struggle with how to respond to their stalkers. Some victims try reasoning with their stalkers to placate them, hoping that “being nice” will make it stop. Many victims minimize their experiences of being stalked, telling themselves “it’s not that bad.” Still others may confront or threaten the stalker or try to “fight back.”

While victims cannot control the stalking behavior, there are steps you can take to keep yourself, your family, and your loved ones safe.

Here are some general tips from SPARC (The Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center):

Trust your instincts. Victims of stalking often feel pressured by friends or family to downplay the stalker’s behavior, but stalking poses a real threat of harm. Your safety is paramount.
Call the police if you feel you are in any immediate danger. Explain why the stalker’s actions are causing you fear.
Keep a record or log of each contact with the stalker. You can use this log as an example. Be sure to also document any police reports.
Save evidence when possible. Stalkers often use technology to contact their victims. Save all emails, text messages, photos, and postings on social networking sites as evidence of the stalking behavior. You may also want to consider how to use your technology and your devices in a safer manner. For more information, please visit the National Network to End Domestic Violence Safety Net Project’s Tech Safety Site.
Get connected with a local victim service provider who can assist you in exploring your options as well as discuss safety planning. Learn more about the services we provide at SACFL by scrolling down.

Call our 24/7 Crisis Hotline today to connect with a trained advocate.
(800) 456-1172

Services

Ask someone who knows. Talk to someone who cares.

SACFL provides services to people experiencing stalking (whether from a current or former intimate partner, an acquaintance, or a stranger), no matter their gender identity, race, age, or religious preference.

All of our services are free, confidential, and voluntary.

24/7 Crisis & Support Hotline (800) 456-1172

Support & Information for survivors of stalking 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Whether you want to learn more about your options, or you just need someone to talk to, we’re here. We will believe and support you in every way we can

Domestic Violence Shelter

The SACFL provides emergency, temporary, safe housing for adults of all genders and their accompanying children who are currently experiencing domestic violence, including those being stalked by a current or former intimate partner.
Our safe dwelling location is kept confidential.
We can provide housing for a total of 14 individuals.
To complete a screening process, call our 24/7 Crisis Hotline (800) 456-1172.

Assistance In Filing Orders of Protection (Restraining Orders)

Staff can help you obtain an order of protection for you, your children and your pets.
To learn more about Family Orders of Protection, click here.

Safety Planning

Staff are available to help you create a safety plan tailored to your situation.
Safety plans are plans are sets of actions that can help lower your risk of being hurt by your stalker. It includes information specific to you and your life that can increase your safety.

Individualized Case Management

Staff will assist you by helping you build a large and diverse safety net of support, and help you access community resources such as address confidentiality, legal assistance, counseling, and housing.

Address Confidentiality Program

The SACFL offers a free, confidential mail-forwarding service for victims of domestic violence and stalking who have recently relocated.

Individual Counseling

Support Groups

Information and Referrals

Staff will provide information about and referrals to any needed services that are not offered by the SAC.

Childcare

In order to make our services accessible, free childcare is available to our clients during their meetings with advocates.

Hospital Support

Trained staff are available to accompany you at the hospital if you need treatment due to domestic violence or stalking.
When you arrive at the hospital request an advocate for immediate, in-person support 24/7.
You can also call our hotline to request an advocate while on your way to the hospital or before you go.

Support at Police Stations/During Police interaction

If you are in a situation where police are called to, or report to your location due to stalking, you can call our 24/7 crisis hotline for help talking to the police and knowing your rights.
If you choose to report an incidence of stalking, are asked to make a statement to police, or are interested in filing charges, trained staff are available to accompany you throughout all steps of the reporting process.
You can call our hotline ahead of time to request an accompaniment, or you can request an advocate upon arrival for in-person support 24/7.

Advocacy during the criminal justice process

Information about the criminal justice process.
Help facilitating communication between you, the courts, the police, and prosecutors/lawyers.
Accompaniment to court, police interviews, and visits with your prosecutor.

Support for Spanish-speaking survivors

Our 24/7 Crisis Hotline is always staffed with a Spanish-speaking advocate.
The Survivor Advocacy Center’s two full-time Spanish-speaking advocates are available to assist in all other needs.

Pet Safety

The SACFL will help you in finding safe housing for any pets displaced by domestic violence or stalking.