Stalking Information

Stalking is serious, sometimes violent, and can escalate over time.  It is not tolerated at Saint Mary's College.

Stalking is defined in the SMC Student Handbook as:

• a course of conduct directed at a specific person 
• would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or the safety of others
• or to cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distresss

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW...

Some things stalkers do:

• Follow you and show up wherever you are
• Send unwanted gifts, letters, cards, emails, or text messages
• Damage your home, car, or other property
• Monitor your phone calls or computer use
• Use technology to track where you are at any given time
• Drive by or hang out at your home, school and/or work
• Threaten to hurt you, your family, friends, or pets
• Post information or spread rumors about you online, in a public place or by word of mouth
• Utilize social media to follow, harass, and/or threaten you
• Any other actions that control, track, or frighten you

If you are being stalked, you may:

• Feel like you are losing your mind
• Feel fear of what the stalker will do
• Feel vulnerable, unsafe, and not know who to trust
• Feel anxious, irritable, impatient, or on edge
• Feel depressed, hopeless, overwhelmed, tearful, or angry
• Feel stressed, including having trouble concentrating, sleeping, or remembering things
• Have eating problems, such as loss of appetite, forgetting to eat, or overeating
• Have flashbacks, disturbing thoughts, feelings, or memories
• Feel confused, frustrated, or isolated because other people don't understand why you are afraid

Stalking is a form of power based personal violence.

If you or someone you know wants more information or to talk about your options please contact Megan Gallagher: Director of the CARE Center, by email at mag7@westridgeparkapartments.com or phone at (925) 631-4193.