The Victim Services Program supports and advocates for all persons affected by crime and abuse.
Victim Services can help reduce trauma and provide support survivors of abuse and violence deserve. Connect with our trained advocates by phone, text, or chat. We provide free and confidential services to survivors and others who have been affected by abuse, violence, and other crimes. At Family Services Incorporated, we offer a holistic approach to healing while providing the safety and support survivors deserve. Each person is on a different healing path, we welcome survivors at whatever stage they are in on their journey.
Domestic & Relationship Abuse
Plan For Your Safety
Sexual Violence
Protection From Abuse Order
Stalking
Human Trafficking
Youth & Young Adults
Training & Outreach
You are not to blame for a stalker’s behavior.
Stalking is a series of action directed at a specific person that would make a reasonable person afraid or feel in danger. Stalking is serious, often violent and can escalate over time. A stalker can be someone you know well or not at all. Most stalkers have dated or otherwise been involved with the people they stalk.
Stalking is a crime. It is not romantic and it is not love.
What does Stalking look like?
- Knowing someone’s schedule, routine, or whereabouts
- Repeatedly calling and/or hanging up on someone
- Repeatedly sending chats, texts, emails, or messages
- Following a person and/or showing up where they are
- Sending unwanted gifts, letters, cards, or emails
- Damaging someone’s home, car, or other property
- Monitoring phone calls , computer usage, and tracking a person’s movement
- Threatening to hurt family, friends, or pets
- Tracking someone’s technology usage
- Placing a GPS on something (like a car or a purse) or tracking the GPS on someone’s phone
- Using cameras on phones or computers to record a person
- Attempting to control, threaten, or frighten a person
What to do if you are being stalked?
Stalking is unpredictable and dangerous. It is not romantic. You can take steps to increase your safety. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
- Change Your Routine/Schedule
- Trust Your Instincts
- Protect Your Technology
- Contact the Victim Services Helpline
- Do Not Communicate
- Contact the Police
- Tell People & Ask For Support
Take a different route to work or school. Go to the grocery store on a different day or different time. It’s important to try and balance a normal life with your safety.
Do not downplay the danger. Take threats seriously, because generally, the danger is higher when the stalker talks about suicide or murder. Danger also increases when a person tries to leave or end the relationship.
Visit The Safety Net Project. The Safety Net focuses on the intersection of technology and abuse. The site provides resources on the use of technology in your safety as a survivor.
We can help you devise a safety plan that works for you, give you information about local laws and practices, refer you other services if needed, and talk through best options for your safety like a protection order. Additionally, we can help you plan in advance for when/if the stalker shows up at your home, work, school, or somewhere else.
Keep a record of any time the stalker calls, messages, or writes you a letter. Detail the time, date and place if/when the stalker follows you, shows up unexpectedly, damages your property Many stalkers will misinterpret any communication as encouragement. If you feel that you need to let the stalker know you are not interested, tell them once and only once and then do not respond to any further communication with them.
Every state has stalking laws, and the stalker may have broken other laws while stalking you, like assault, damaging property, trespassing, or others. Consider getting a court order mandating the stalker to stay away from you if applicable.
Tell family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, roommates, and others about the stalker. Tell security staff at school or at your place of work. Ask people to be on the lookout for the stalker and watch out for your safety.
Consent is an on-going mutual agreement between people about what you want to experience. While we talk a lot about consent when it comes to sex, consent should be given for everything!
Consent is more than “No Means No,” or “Yes Means Yes.” Consent is a safe, open, and on-going conversation.
Consent should be given every time! You should always feel safe to say No or that you are not comfortable or not enjoying something.
Consent is established in an on-going basis throughout the entire experience. Consent is not based on broad approval. Past behavior and past consent does not mean consent in the present!
Consent is never applied or assumed based on relationship status, past behaviors, or actions. Consent is always enthusiastically and explicitly communicated verbally. Consent in the past does not mean consent in the present or future.
Anyone can find help at Family Services. We know that anyone, including men, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and children can experience abuse, violence, and crime. We welcome everyone without regard to race, religion, color, age, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, socio-economic status, or language spoken.
Need help? Call/Text the 24-Hour Victim Services Helpline at 814-944-3585
