Letter to the Editor
- Guest Author
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
To the Editor:
January 2026 marks the 22nd annual National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM)—a call to action to better recognize and respond to this criminal, traumatic, and dangerous victimization. It is a time to spread awareness about stalking through this year’s theme “KNOW IT, NAME IT, STOP IT.”
More than 1 in 5 women and approximately 1 in 10 men in the U.S. experience stalking in their lifetimes, but too often it goes unnamed and unaddressed. It takes all of us to better recognize and respond to stalking—including advocacy and support services, legal system professionals, healthcare services and friends, family, and community members.
Stalking is defined as a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear or emotional distress. As fear is highly personal, so is stalking; stalkers often engage in behaviors that seem benign to outsiders but are terrifying in context.
Most stalkers target people that they know, and many are current or former intimate partners or acquaintances who have knowledge about the victim’s specific vulnerabilities and fears. Individual incidents may or may not be criminal acts themselves; common stalking tactics include unwanted communication, showing up uninvited, spreading rumors, and following and watching the victim.
Most victims tell friends or family about their situation first, and ‘how they (friends and family) respond’ influences whether they (victims) seek further help. It is important during Stalking Awareness Month that we bring attention to the prevalence and dangerous potential of stalking. It is a time to recognize stalking behaviors, be able to intervene when necessary, provide resources for victims, and advocate for stronger legal protections.
If you would like additional information on how to get involved with NSAM, visit www.stalkingawareness.org. You can also speak with a Todd County Hands of Hope Resource Center advocate about stalking by calling 320-732-2319 or 800-682-4547.
Barb Dinkel Goodrich
Domestic Violence/Sexual
Assault Lead Advocate
Hands of Hope Resource Center
Todd County
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