What can I do if I'm being stalked?
Should I report it if I think I am being stalked?
In order to take care of yourself tell someone you trust. Report any incident, even if you are unsure of how to define what happened to you. DO NOT attempt to deal with the situation alone. There are many people on Campus who are here to help you. Contact your Campus Victim Advocates, Counseling Center, Dean of Students office, Residence Hall Director, or University Police.
What can these offices do for me?
In the case of reporting stalking, each of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh offices listed below agrees to:
- Meet with you privately to discuss your concerns.
- Maintain your confidentiality to the limits of the law.
- To the degree possible, honor your request for speaking with a female or male staff member.
- If you wish, coordinate our efforts to assist you in the recovery process.
- Listen to you without judgment or blame.
- Answer your questions about the investigation process and explain options.
- Treat you with courtesy, dignity, understanding, and professionalism.
- Consider your case seriously regardless of your gender or the gender of the suspect
The Campus Victim Advocates provide you with support and information about your legal and disciplinary options. Advocates can attend medical or legal appointments with you, speak up for your rights in any community or campus actions you might choose to pursue; provide you with ongoing support and information, and help with "safety planning," such as filing restraining or no-contact orders and making changes in your residence hall or classes to avoid contact with the person who hurt you.
The Counseling Center will respect and affirm your choices, honor your request for a male or female counselor, support you, not judge you, provide caring attention while you make difficult decisions and help you restore your sense of safety. We can help you if you were stalked some time ago and have not talked about it or feel like it is still having an impact on your life.
The Student Health Center provides follow up medical care for victims of relationship violence. Physicians and nurse practitioners offer screening and medical care for stress-related illness, and provide referral services.
The Dean of Students Office will insure you receive the support and assistance you need and outline your options. Disciplinary action can be taken if the offender is a student. Assistance for changing academic and living situations may also be available. The alleged perpetrator may face the following: reassignment to another residence hall, restriction from residence hall(s), restriction from eating in a particular commons and no contact with the complainant.
The Department of Residence Life will provide support and understanding, identify resources that are available to you and will serve as a connection to the offices identified above and the services they can provide. Residence Life will ensure that your privacy within your living community is protected. We will do all that we can to help you feel safe in your living environment and help you find the support that you need.
The University Police will respect your dignity and insure that your medical, psychological and safety needs are being met. Once a report is made the University Police are required to investigate it. Ultimately, the District Attorney makes the decision about pursuing legal charges. The sooner stalking is reported the better for the investigation and prosecution.