Written by Armone Gates, Campus Life Editor.

January is known as Stalker Awareness Month where awareness is raised about the violating nature and warning signs of stalking.  

Stalking Awareness Day is actually held on Jan. 18. On this day, many people are encouraged to wear yellow and post pictures with friends and family supporting the cause to bring more awareness to stalking. 

According to the National Institutes of Health, there are many different forms of stalking, which include consistent un-located phone calls, cyberstalking, unwanted letters and other items sent, or following victims around, including showing up to someone’s job or home. 

Stalking is mostly common amongst college students ranging in the 18-24 age category. This means that these individuals are more prone to be victims of stalking than any other age group. 

Anyone can be a victim of stalking, but studies have shown that women are the most potential targets when it comes to stalking verses men. 

Most stalking incidents occur when a familiar person of interest  follows and watches the moves of their potential victim. Without him or her noticing. 

Here are some stalking awareness facts, according to VState-conduct:  

1. Approximately 15% of women and 6% of men in the United States have ever experienced stalking.
2.  More than 80% of survivors reported the person stalking them was known to them in some way. 
3. Nearly one in three women and one in six men have experienced stalking victimization at some point in their lifetime. 
4. 11% of stalking victims have been stalked for five years or more. 
5. Intimate partner stalkers are most likely to approach, threaten and harm their victims. 

It’s important to be aware of your surroundings and to pay attention to the people around you at all times. Never be oblivious of your surroundings. 

Also, be cautious of what you post online. Not everyone needs to know your business or see the people surround yourself with. That is another way for stalkers to get a hold of their victims. 

It is important to stay aware of surroundings, however, that does not mean you have to live in fear. 

Here are four tips so that you can be aware of your surroundings: 

1.   Always carry around some form of protection, such as pepper spray or a taser.  
2.   Be mindful of what information you share online. 
3.   Be aware of potential red flags that could lead to harm (jealousy, obsession, and threats). 
4.   Make or keep a list of weird erratic behavior that you have experienced from a familiar individual. 
5.    Vary your route for the day and find alternative ways to make it your destination safely. 
6.    Lastly, continue research on what amounts to stalking behavior. 

Photo courtesy of Blazer Wellness.