THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

MONA CAMPUS

SECURITY ADVISORY ON STALKING

Prepared by:
Keith M.D. Gardner, M.G., B.H (M), BSc. (Hons.), LLB (Hons.), L.E.C., LLM
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired), Attorney-at-law & Director of Security
Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor & Principal
UWI, Mona Campus

October 3, 2013

STALKING
WHAT IS STALKING?
Stalking is defined as threats, along with repeated harassing behaviours, such as:

Following a person

Appearing at a persons home, class or work

Making harassing phone calls and e-mails

Leaving written messages or objects

Vandalizing a persons property

It can include the use of regular mail, e-mail, instant messaging, text messages, posting on social
websites and/or faxes.

Stalking is when a person willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows, harasses or cyber stalks
another person. Stalking includes a willful and malicious pattern of conduct or acts over a period
of time directed at a specific person which seriously alarms or annoys the person and which causes
a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress and makes a threat with the intent to
place the person in imminent fear of death or bodily injury.

Stalking can occur by mail, telephone, electronic mail, internet communication and facsimile.
Conduct which does not include a threat of death or bodily injury is also illegal and considered
harassment.

The University of West Indies takes allegations of stalking seriously, and will thoroughly
investigate any complaints received.
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WHO ARE VICTIMS OF STALKING?

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 stalkers actions can also affect family, friends, and
coworkers. Stalking and criminal harassment can be difficult to distinguish.

HOW DO I KNOW IT IS STALKING?

Example:

Every time I went to my PoliSci class, this guy would sit next to me. He kept trying to talk
to me even though I told him I wasnt interested. Then he started showing up everywhere
outside my residence hall, in the campus center, even in the library, and threatening me if I
dont go out with him. Am I being paranoid?

I dated this woman a couple of times but then wasnt interested in seeing her again. She
said someone would get hurt if I broke up with her. If I cant have you, no one else can,
she told me. We werent in contact for a while, but now she keeps sending me e-mails.
Sometimes I dont 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 dont know
who is doing this, and it feels creepy!

If you or someone you know is experiencing a similar situation, please get help by contacting:

The Director of Security: 970-6698 / 970-3232 ext. 3700 / 3698.

The Mona Police Post: 927-2298 ext.2331.

The Campus Security Base: 935-8748 ext. 2748 / 2749.

If you feel frightened or uncomfortable about someones specific behavior, pay attention to your
instincts! Seek help.

WHAT CAN A STALKING VICTIM DO?

Report the stalking to the Mona Police, or to the Police in your area, and follow their
advice.

Inform others close to you (family, friends, residential life staff, coworkers) 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 e-mails received from the
stalker.

Provide Police with photographs of the suspect, a description, and other information

Inform the Office of Students Service and Development on the Mona Campus and the
Director of the University Mona Campus Health Centre and learn about other options
including a Non-molestation Order or a Restraining Order.

Follow basic safety tips:

Try not to walk alone.

Know your surroundings and locations of emergency phones and panic buttons.

Lock your car and house doors when alone.

Consider using different routes to drive or walk to class or other routine places,
keeping close friends informed.

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.

The following guidelines are offered to help you protect yourself if you believe you are the victim
of stalking:

Contact the police immediately. What you are experiencing may not be stalking, but it is
always better to be cautious.

Be decisive in your relationships. If you are not interested in dating an individual, make
that known to him/her in clear, but polite, terms. Humoring the person will only allow
him/her to believe that you are interested in a relationship.

Keep a record of any contact between you and the stalker. It is important for a criminal
prosecution to be able to show a record of the stalkers actions toward you.

Do not initiate contact with the stalker. The stalker will use your actions as a defense to
show that the contact he/she had with you was in response to your behavior.

If the stalker uses the internet to harass you, do not delete these records.

If the stalker uses the telephone to harass you, keep a record of the calls. If the stalker
leaves voice mail messages, keep the recording of those messages to give to the Police.

Do not respond to the stalkers attempts to contact you, whether in person, by telephone,
or by computer.

If you believe you are being stalked, make sure that you travel on Campus with a friend
rather than by yourself. If a friend is not available, contact the Police Department or the
Campus Security and request escort service to accompany you to your vehicle/hall of
residence.

Vary your route of travel. If the stalker is familiar with your class schedule, have your
schedule changed, if possible. If it is too late in the semester to have your schedule
changed, alternate the entrance you use to classroom buildings, alternate the lots you park
in, and make sure you have someone with you on your way to and from class.

If the stalker is familiar with your vehicle, make sure you park in well-lit, busy areas. If
possible, park where you can watch your vehicle from your classroom/apartment.

Always carry a cell phone with you and have the phone number for the Police and
Security Department programmed into the memory.

If the stalker knows your telephone number, have your number changed and give the
number only to trustworthy family and friends.

If the stalker knows your UWI e-mail address, contact MITS to have your address
monitored.

If you live on Campus, make sure your Student Services and Development Manager
(SSDM) and Resident Advisor (RA) are aware of your concerns and the identity of the

stalker. If necessary, provide a picture of him/her so that the hall staff can ensure that
he/she does not gain access to the building.

If you live off-campus, inform a trusted neighbour of your belief that you are being
stalked. Give him/her a photo of the stalker and provide a description of the stalkers
vehicle (if there is one). Make sure that your neighbour has your cell phone number so
that he/she can contact you before you return to your apartment if he/she see the stalker or
the stalkers vehicle in the area.