The Shawnee Tribe’s Behavioral Health Program is providing information in January for Stalking Awareness Month. Stalking is a serious and often misunderstood form of victimization. It involves a pattern of behaviors that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or experience significant emotional distress. Stalking is not rare, and it is not harmless. Most victims know the person who is stalking them, and many experience threats, fear, and long-lasting impacts on their daily lives.
Research shows that stalking disproportionately affects American Indian and Alaska Native communities, with a significant percentage of women and men experiencing stalking at some point in their lives. Common stalking behaviors include monitoring, repeated unwanted contact, intimidation, and interference in a person’s work, relationships, or sense of safety. These behaviors often escalate over time rather than stop on their own.
In recognition of Stalking Awareness Month, community members are invited to participate in the Ribbons of Resilience Awareness Walk:
- Hosted in collaboration with the R.I.S.E. Coalition, on Monday, January 5, at the Eastern Shawnee Wellness Center, located at 10135 S. Bluejacket Road, Wyandotte, OK 74370.
- Participants are welcome to drop in and walk at any time between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. as a show of support for survivors and a commitment to community safety.
- The first 100 participants will receive a free T-shirt and a free safety keychain.
If you or someone you know is experiencing stalking, help is available. Take the behavior seriously, trust your instincts, and prioritize safety. Consider limiting what you share online, documenting incidents in a stalking log, reaching out to trusted supports, and contacting law enforcement if you are in immediate danger. No one deserves to live in fear, and support resources exist to help individuals regain safety and control. If you feel like you are being staked and could be in danger, call your local law enforcement or 911.