Stalking Awareness Month

Law enforcement, and domestic violence workers, are using this month to call attention to an under–reported national and local problem.

Since 2004, the U–S Department of Justice and others have recognized January as national stalking awareness month.

Only 37 percent of male victims, and 41% of female victims, report their stalker to police.

Cheryl O’Neil says victims may not understand that stalking is a crime.

They may minimize the seriousness of it.

Or they may not believe police and others will take it seriously.

The justice department says nearly 3.5 million Americans are stalked each year, usually by someone they know.

About a third of the time, the stalker is a former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend.