What is stalking?
Stalking is a crime defined in Wisconsin statutes as a pattern of harassing or threatening words or conduct that is intended to cause, or does cause, a person to be fearful, including any of the following actions:
- Following a person
- Appearing at a person's home or work
- Making harassing phone calls
- Leaving written messages or emails
- Sending unwanted gifts or flowers
- Vandalizing a person's property
Because stalking behaviors can sometimes be difficult to identify initially, a victim may not feel there is any cause for alarm. However, if the behavior continues, it presents a very real threat to the victim. Anyone can be a victim of stalking, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, geographic locations, or personal associations, however, more than one half of all stalking victims are between 18 and 29 years old.