Stalking Unit

Stalking Information Line 619-515-8900

Although stalking is not a new phenomenon, the widespread recognition of stalking as a social and criminal justice concern is relatively recent. California enacted anti-stalking legislation in 1990, and in 1994 Congress passed the national Violence Against Women Act.

Nationwide, one in 12 women will be victims of stalking at some point in their lives. Men make up a smaller, but equally victimized group.

Stalking cases are unique because they can involve ongoing behavior that can last for years. Often, several police agencies are involved in coordinating the investigation. Victims are among the most emotionally traumatized because of the ongoing and threatening nature of the crime.

The anonymity of the internet has spawned a new breed of stalker that can easily harass and threaten his victims with the push of a button as opposed to an actual physical confrontation. Cyber stalker activities include sending threatening/harassing/annoying emails, establishing threatening websites, identity theft, posting victim’s name, address, phone #’s on bulletin boards, initiating computer viruses, sending damaging forged emails that appear to be from the victim to co-workers, employers and neighbors and gathering personal information from social media websites.

If you are a stalking victim and want to report a crime or believe you are in immediate danger, please call your local police agency first and file a report.

Security Tips for Victims
Information on Cyberstalking

For additional support and information, call the stalking information line at 619-515-8900.

Profiles of Stalkers:

THE STALKERS:

9.5% have erotomania, when a stalker falsely believes that the target, usually someone famous or rich, is in love with the stalker.
43% have love obsession, when a stalker is a stranger to the target but is obsessed and mounts a campaign of harassment to make the target aware of the stalker's existence.
47% have simple obsession, when a stalker, usually male, knows target as an ex-spouse, ex-lover, or former boss, and begins a campaign of harassment.

THE VICTIMS:

38% are ordinary citizens.
32% are lesser known entertainment figures.
17% are highly recognizable celebrities.
13% are former employee, employer or other professionals.

TYPES OF THREATS

Direct Threats: Straightforward and explicit statements of an intention to commit harm that do no state conditions that might avert harm.

Veiled Threats: Indirect, vague, or subtle statements suggesting potential harm that do not state conditions that might avert harm.

Conditional Threats: Statements portending harm and specifying either conditions to be met in order to avert the harm or conditions under which the threat will be carried out.

Other resources and valuable links about stalking: