Research from one study recommended that DV victims who experience stalking should receive different services, specifically tailored to their needs (Logan, et al., 2006). The findings from this study suggested that advocates, CJS personnel, and MH professionals were not always aware, attuned, or informed of the specialized services, and may underestimate the seriousness of stalking, aside and apart from other DV services (Logan, et al., 2006).
If you are a Maryland provider and believe you have the skills and training to support stalking victims and their families, please reach out to us. We can share your services for our community. Thank you for all you do!
1. Victims may experience additional stress during what can already be an emotionally and physically draining time.
2. Victims may need additional emotional support from advocates, counselors, and helplines during the holiday season,
a. especially if unable to be with their family, friends, or faith community, or if grieving losses or life-changes.
3. The importance of safety planning around the holidays should not be underestimated.
4. Advocates can help keep the season safe for victims by sharing holiday-specific safety tips.
1. Strive for inclusiveness, keeping in mind that not everyone observes the same holidays (or any holiday at all).
2. Every culture celebrates the holidays with its own unique traditions.
3. Advocates can research a broad range of holiday observances to be prepared to support stalking-victims from different populations.
· A survey of 90 domestic violence programs found that 88.5% of victims requested “information about counseling options.”
· The holidays are a perfect time to provide more individual counseling.
o There may be concerns they may not wish to share during a group session.
o Victims may be expected to participate in other group activities during the holidays i.e. child’s school, place of worship, or workplace, and may need more one-on-one time with counselors to process their feelings and experiences (NRC, 2013).
· Keep the season safe by sharing holiday specific safety tips.
o Including starting new holiday routines,
· Meet family and friends in new locations unknown to the stalker,
· Avoid places and times where stalkers’ may anticipate finding their victim
o shopping areas,
o holiday parades,
o and events,
· Use a P.O. Box (or no return address at all) if sending holidays cards/gifts (NRC, 2013).
· Individuals from other cultural/ethnic backgrounds may observe holidays differently.
· Avoid generalizing
· Promote inclusiveness through linguistically accessible practices.
o Holidays may be a particularly difficult time to be away from family and/or friends for immigrant victims.
· Communication with those in their circle through the use of digital devices may be difficult due to cyberstalking(NRC, 2013).
· Holiday events must be accessible to all victims receiving services.
o There are multiple dimensions to accessibility when planning an event
o or providing domestic violence services in general.
· Test plans in advance through the lens of
o physical,
o programmatic,
o communication and
o attitudinal accessibility.
· Holiday celebrations must be inclusive.
o Provide interpreters and/or closed captioning for Deaf victims.
· Holiday decorations must not impede the physical space or become obstacles for victims using assistive devices.
o Disability and deafness have been used as weapons to control victims (NRC, 2013).
· Be sensitive to advocate workload, especially during the holidays.
· Understand that overloading a single staff person can place them at higher risk for burnout.
· Ensure that staff are allowed sufficient time off to be with those in their circle during important holiday events.
o Supervisors should be respectful of cultural, traditional, or religious observances.
o Supervisors should allow for flexible scheduling during this time.
o Additional staff may be needed to help cover shifts to meet the needs of frontline advocates (NRC, 2013).
If a person has been the victim of partner stalking, they can consider applying for a protective order. If they are a victim of acquaintance, or stranger, harassment or stalking, they can apply for a peace order. This is at the victim's discretion. However, it is important to remember, the longer the behavior persists, the longer it can persist.
It is extremely important to document all incidents. Keep and maintain a record, and tell all secondary victims and bystanders to do the same. This may escalate and become a legal matter quickly. However, it can be drawn out for years, or decades. Documentation is the victim's evidence that they may have to use to fight for justice.
Safety planning will look different depending on the current state, nature, and context of each victim's relationship. However, a safety plan should be implemented independently and/or with their family, neighbors, coworkers, etc.
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Just Stalking: Resources, Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization (EIN: 93-4264447).
Disclaimer: We are NOT a legal, mental health, medical, victims' advocate provider(s). We are NOT certified educators, financial experts, security specialists, or self-defense experts. While some of our staff may have training, background, or experience in legal, mental health, medical, victims' advocacy, education, financial, security, or self-defense fields pertaining to Maryland, none of our staff is currently, licensed, or certified specialists in the aforementioned fields. WE ARE NOT PROVIDING ADVICE, IN SUCH FIELDS. OUR GOAL IS TO DIRECT VICTIMS TO APPLICABLE PROVIDERS, PROVIDE FEEDBACK BASED ON PERSONAL EXPERIENCES, USING RELEVANT EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH & PRACTICES. WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR ALL AFOREMENTIONED TIPS. IF YOU ARE IN DISTRESS PLEASE CALL 911.
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