January is National Stalking Awareness Month “Know it. Name it. Stop it”

According to the University of New Hampshire, “In one year, 6.6 million people were stalked in the United States.” The month of January is observed as National Stalking Awareness Month “to increase awareness of stalking and to spur advocacy on behalf of those suffering with the emotional, financial and physical burden of being stalked.”

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ), defines stalking as, “engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety or for the safety of others or suffer substantial emotional distress.” The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), explains that stalking behaviors “can come in the form of threatening phone calls, text messages, spying, or showing up at the victim’s home or workplace, and leaving unwanted gifts or cards. Most often, stalking occurs by someone they know or with whom they had an intimate relationship.”

The CDC suggests that everyone be empowered to understand, recognize, and address the signs of stalking. Safe environments within relationships, schools, communities, programs, and policies are also encouraged to reduce the risk of stalking and to promote healthy relationships. Your healthcare provider is a trusted source for resources and support. You may walk-in or schedule an appointment at any of our convenient Primary Medical Care Center community clinics by visiting our website at www.primarymed.com, or you may call (305)751-1500 for our Miami-Dade clinic, or (954)289-0000 for our Broward clinic.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/features/prevent-stalking/index.html

https://www.justice.gov/ovw/stalking

https://www.unh.edu/sharpp/january-national-stalking-awareness-month

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