Stalking is unwanted or obsessive attention by an individual or group towards another person.  Stalking behaviors can look different depending on the situation and may change over time. Oftentimes, these behaviors fit into the following four categories: surveillance, life invasion, interference, and intimidation. See below for more information and options. 

  • Surveillance: this is the most common reported stalking strategy & includes observing, watching, following, or gathering information about the survivor. 
  • Life Invasion: this strategy outlines how stalking behaviors infiltrate and impact a person’s privacy and daily experiences. This strategy includes excessive contact, giving unwanted gifts, showing up unannounced, and/or spreading rumors.  
  • Interference: this strategy includes behaviors that disrupt a person’s routine, sense of physical safety, and ability to go to school/work, etc. This can include actions taken to diminish or tarnish a person’s reputation or credibility. 
  • Intimidation: this strategy includes explicit threats and it’s also important to recognize that some intimidation tactics are so specific that only the impacted person understands the true threat hidden in the action or words. This subtle strategy is often used intentionally to make others minimize the impacted person’s experiences and instill fear into the survivor.  

Check out this linkfrom SPARC (Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center) for more details about the stalking behaviors of surveillance, life invasion, Interference, and intimidation. In general, SPARC is an excellent educational resource for stalking and you can find their website SPARC. SPARC is not a victim services resource center so if you want to speak with an advocate, please contact Campus Civil Rights at 406-994-7069 or HAVEN at 406-586-4111.  

Common Reactions

Stalking behaviors can be very invasive and concerning. Many survivors of stalking experience:  

  • Feeling scared about what the stalker might do. 
  • Feeling vulnerable and unsafe 
  • Feeling depressed, scared, anxious, overwhelmed, irritable, and/or angry.  
  • Feeling isolated 
  • Difficulty trusting others 
  • Difficulty sleeping and/or eating 
  • Difficulty relaxing (hypervigilance)  

These reactions to stalking are very understandable and normal; however, they can be very draining and detrimental over time. Many survivors find it helpful to talk about their experience with an advocate or trusted person. If you would like to be connected with an advocate, please contact Campus Civil Rights at (406) 994-7069.

Safety Planning

Stalking is a highly invasive crime that can make the victim feel very unsafe and vulnerable. If you are experiencing stalking, there are many options available to support you and increase your safety while working to end the stalking behaviors.  

Stalking Log 

Keeping a log of all stalking behaviors including: personal contact, run-ins, phone calls, text messages, emails, social media contact (including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, Snapchat, Tinder, TikTok, Venmo, etc.) can be extremely useful when experiencing stalking.This log can be used as evidence if you decide to apply for an Order of Protection or if you decide to initiate an investigation throughCampus Civil Rights or Law Enforcement (click here for reporting options at CCR).This log may include times, dates, locations, important details, and copies/screen shots of communications.If you have already reported to police, it can be helpful to call the police after each incident & to record the case number in the log as well. 

Orders of Protection

An Order of Protection (commonly known as a Restraining Order) is a document signed by a judge that prohibits the Respondent (abuser) from contacting the Petitioner (survivor) in any way including personal contact, other forms of contact (letter, phone call, text, email, social media, etc.), or via third party (through friends and family). The order also states that the Respondent must stay a specific distance away from the Petitioner, the Petitioner’s home, and the Petitioner’s place of work. The Petitioner may also request that children or other family members be included in the order; the request can be granted or denied at the judge’s discretion.  

When filing for an Order of Protection, you will be asked to include your personal information, personal information about the abuser, and a written narrative of the abuse. The Order of Protection cannot be submitted without this information. When the petition for an Order of Protection is completed, the paperwork will be submitted to a judge to make a decision to grant or deny the order. This process may take one day to one week to complete. When the judge makes a decision, you will be notified.   

If the order is granted, you will obtain a Temporary Order of Protection. Please note that the Temporary Order of Protection will not go into effect until the Respondent is served the order by Law Enforcement Officers. These orders typically last for 20 days. When the Temporary Order of Protection is granted, the judge will also set a court date at which time you can petition for a Permanent Order of Protection.  

In order to petition for a Permanent Order of Protection, you will need to be present during the hearing to come before the judge. You will have the opportunity to testify and make recommendations for the length of the order. The Respondent has the right to attend the hearing and testify as well. After hearing both testimonies, the judge will make the determination to grant or deny the Permanent Order of Protection.  

This process may seem very daunting, but having support can simplify the process. You are encouraged to access the help of HAVEN’s Legal Advocates, ASMSU Legal Services, as well as supportive friends and family members who can help you file the Order of Protection. These resources, as well CCR Advocates, can provide support through the hearing process, and help you develop a safety plan in the interim.  

To begin the process of filing for an Order of Protection, you can take action on your own or contact the HAVEN Legal Advocate at 406-582-2038 or Campus Civil Rights at 406-994-7069 for support. Please note, HAVEN & CCR Advocates cannot provide legal advice, but they can help you better understand the process and what to expect.  

If you would like to start the process on your own, this is a helpful link that will autofill the legal document with your responses. Please note, this link does not submit the paperwork. This means upon completion you are still responsible for getting the document submitted to the court. 

Safety Planning

Creating a safety plan that you can follow may provide some peace of mind if the stalking escalates to a dangerous situation.  

Components of a basic safety plan:  

  • Find A Safe Way Out: If you are concerned about stalking at your home, school, or place of work, you may want to consider identifying alternate exits so you can leave safely and without running into the stalker. Identify which doors, windows, elevators, or stairwells you can use and practice this route.  
  • Make a List: this list includes Important numbers such as local police, advocacy centers, family, friends, and/or employers. Determine a list of places you can go if you decide to leave a situation or need to go someplace safe yet unknown to the individual stalking you.  
  • Increasing Safety at Home: You may want to consider installing a peep-hole in your front door, changing locks, adding a dead-bolt, or installing a camera. If you have roommates or neighbors, you may consider informing them of the stalking behavior so they can be aware and help you keep an eye out for strange behavior.  
  • Staying Safe with Technology: Many stalkers use technology to monitor their victims. You may want to consider making your social media accounts private, changing your passwords, blocking the stalker from your phone, email, and social media pages. If you are concerned about the stalker obtaining your passwords, consider changing them to a higher security setting.  
  • Staying Safe in the Community: You may consider telling your friends, family members, or coworkers about the stalking behaviors in order to help keep you safe when you are out and about. Consider coming up with a code word to let your friends or family know if you see the stalker or if you feel uncomfortable so they can help remove you from the situation.  
  • Take Care of YOU!: call 911 if you are scared or in need of help. There are also many advocacy centers that can provide support, connect you with law enforcement, and help you obtain an order of protection.