Stalking

What is Stalking?

As defined by the Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 163.732, a person commits the crime of “Stalking” if:

• The person knowingly alarms or coerces another person or a member of that person’s immediate family or household by engaging in repeated and unwanted contact with the other person;
• It is objectively reasonable for a person in the victim’s situation to have been alarmed or coerced by the contact; and  
• The repeated and unwanted contact causes the victim reasonable apprehension regarding the personal safety of the victim or a member of the victim’s immediate family or household.

Examples of Stalking

If reporting to Law Enforcement or seeking an Order of Protection, be sure to include why the behavior was alarming (scary) or coercive (forced). Some examples below may not be a criminal offense by themselves.

• Repeated phone calls, texts, emails, letters or notes, social media messages, or sending unwanted gifts.
• Following or keeping tabs on where a person goes.
• Driving by or showing up where a person lives, works, or frequents.
• Tampering with or changing the person’s mail, credit cards, phone number, social media, or address.
• Disabling, damaging, or vandalizing a person’s home, vehicle, or property.
• Searching public records, social media sites, or hiring investigators.
• Going through or stealing a person’s personal belongings or garbage.
• Contacting a person’s friends, family, neighbors or co-workers.
• Threatening harm to a person or their loved ones.

Stalking can happen between strangers, but most people have dated or been involved with their stalker.
Stalking can begin during a relationship or after a relationship has ended.
Stalking behaviors are unpredictable and may lead to violence.

Where can I get help? (See Other Resources tab)

• Contact a Victim Assistant or a Saving Grace Advocate for information and services.
• Make a safety plan – Do you need to change routines, inform others not to provide your information, or check your phone/computer for spyware? Is there someone who can stay with you, do you need to change your locks, or add other security measures? Contact a Victim Assistant or Saving Grace Advocate to develop a personal safety plan, obtain services, and resources to put your plan into action.
• Call 911 or Law Enforcement or Non-Emergency Dispatch when stalking happens. (See Other Resources law enforcement section.)
• Document each incident in a Stalking Log and save any evidence of the stalking. Examples of evidence could include text messages, threatening phone messages, unwanted gifts, or damage to your property. If you feel unsafe or think a crime has been committed, report it to Law Enforcement immediately. 
• File an Order of Protection for your safety. (See Orders of Protection tab and OregonLawHelp for more information.)
• Research resources for your situation on a safe computer. (See Other Resources tab and Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC).)
• If you need emergency shelter in the state of Oregon, the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence lists all shelters and advocacy services in Oregon by county.
• There are some employment protections, landlord/tenant protections (Oregon Revised Statute 90.325, 90.445-90.459, 90.453, and 105.128), public record disclosure protections (ORS 192.368), unemployment insurance protections (ORS 657.176) and insurance protections (ORS 746.015) under Oregon law for stalking victims. Contact a Victim Assistant or Legal Aid for more information.