FACT: The vast majority of the 1.4 million people who are stalked each year are ordinary citizens.

FACT: Stalkers seldom “just stop.” Victims should seek help from law enforcement to stop the stalking.

FACT: Stalking is a crime in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

FACT: If your “friend” tracks your every move in a way that causes you fear, that is stalking.

FACT: Stalkers can buy easy-to-use surveillance equipment for as little as $30.

FACT: Confronting or trying to reason with a stalker can be dangerous.

FACT: Most individuals being stalked are stalked by people that they know - 77% of female and 64% of male victims know their stalker. Each year, more than half a million women are actively stalked by their intimate partner.

FACT: Research indicates that between 1/4 and 1/3 of college students have been stalked.

FACT: There are cases of stalking that last for years and never turn violent, and others that turn deadly quickly. The cases that seem harmless may be the most deadly.

FACT: 30% of stalking victims seek psychological counseling as a result of their victimization. Recent estimates indicate that over 1.4 million Americans are stalked each year, and that 1 in 20 women will become targets of stalking behavior at least once during their lifetimes. Most victims are stalked for an average of 1.8 years, and 1/5 of the victims are so fearful that they move locations in an attempt to escape their stalker.

FACT: This is not necessarily the case, and early action is important. The sooner action is taken to stop the stalking, whether it is a police warning, solicitor's letter, arrest, etc., the higher the chance it has of stopping. Legislation exists for this reason. Research has shown that the longer stalkers are allowed to carry on, the less likely they are to stop.

FACT: If possible, you should never agree to meet with your stalker or communicate with him/her in any way. Any attention from you, good or bad, will feed their obsession and may give you false hope that they will stop. It might also put you in a dangerous situation. Do not be manipulated by a stalker's attempts to control you with false promises such as "I'll stop if you just listen to me one time," or "I'll leave you alone if you meet with me one last time." Report incidents to the police and save any evidence such as videophone messages, e-mails, or unwanted gifts. If you have already involved the police, it may weaken a prosecution case against your stalker because you will be viewed as having cooperated with the stalker when you decide to meet with/talk to him/her.

FACT: This is one of the worst things you could do. Don't try to sugar-coat your "No." Don't agree to see your stalker "as a friend". You cannot reason with a stalker. Any way you try to be kind and soften the impact of what you are saying just encourages the stalker and invites the stalker to continue. If you say, "I don't want a relationship right now," the stalker may think that he/she just needs to wait until you change your mind. If you say, "I'm in a relationship right now," the stalker may think that he/she just has to win you over, or perhaps that he/she has someone to get someone out of the way. It is important to must make a simple, blunt statement with no explanations, time limits, or loopholes. Then, sever contact - completely.

FACT: Stalking victims are usually told to get a restraining order. These are only of limited usefulness. It can stop a "mild" stalker, or someone who is still fairly rational and who cares about social or legal repercussions. However, about 2/3 of restraining orders are violated by stalkers. Do not make the mistake of thinking the predator will respond to a restraining order the way you would. This legal enforcement will do nothing to stop a stalker with a high degree of investment in the situation. This type can include former intimate partners, a more delusional stalker, or one motivated by revenge. In some cases, the situation can even be worsened by this legal tactic. It's may be perceived as an insult, and can precipitate a violent situation.

FACT: The fact there has been no danger up until now does not mean it won't happen. It is true that some stalkers may warn their targets with obviously threatening statements such as, "We have to be together - forever," or "If I can't have you, nobody can." However, even if the stalker has not made such an overtly dangerous statement, any words or behaviors that indicate an unwillingness to let go of his/her obsession is a red flag. Changing circumstances in the target's life or in the life of the predator could precipitate violent behavior. One example would be if the target becomes engaged. This could trigger deadly violence in the deluded stalker who sees this as a betrayal of his/her imagined relationship with the target.

FACT: You don't have to be flattered, you might be terrified. These comments are usually from people who are ignorant about the subject and what it is like to be on the receiving end of a stalker. Try to ignore comments that upset or anger you and gently educate these people if they are members of your circle. You are not alone in your situation. Preserve any presents/objects, letters you are suspicious of, and inform the police. Report ALL incidents.

FACT: The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 is there to protect you. The evidence required for the police to take action is 'on more than one occasion' i.e. 2 incidents. They do NOT need to be the same (i.e.; can be a phone call and being followed) but they do need to be reasonably close together in time. The Protection from Harassment Act of 1997 takes a test called the 'reasonable person test', that is, if a reasonable person considers what is happening to you to be harassment then action can be taken. A police warning might be enough to stop it, but if necessary, the power for the police to make an arrest is there.

FACT: The power of the ‘Protection from Harassment’ Act reaches into the Civil Law as well as the Criminal Law. If you don't want to take action through the police, you can go to a solicitor and obtain an Injunction under the Protection From Harassment Act of 1997 through the Civil Courts, although this will cost money. If you feel that you are going to be harassed by someone (ex-partner, stalker coming out of prison) then you are able to obtain an Injunction for an Apprehended Breach you are anticipating harassment to occur, and are using the Civil Law to protect you before this happens.