Is someone stalking, harassing you? Peeping in windows? Here are steps to stay safe
Victims of misdemeanor stalking, peeping and indecent exposure crimes can get frustrated by the court system’s limitations, but there are steps to take to stay informed and protected.
One in three women and one in six men experience stalking during their lifetime, according to a fact sheet assembled by the Stalking Prevention, Awareness & Resource Center. The fact sheet was assembled using different studies, including the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey.
Stalkers target acquaintances (42%), intimate partners (40%) strangers (19%) and others, the survey found. Their actions may include unwanted contact, following and watching their victims, or sending unwelcome cards and gifts.
About one in three stalkers have done it before, according to the stalking organization.
The crime often disrupts victims’ lives forcing them to move and buy cameras or self-defense equipment to feel safe. Victims of stalking have higher rates of depression, anxiety and insomnia, according to the stalking resource center.
Considering the monumental impact on victims’ lives, some might think that the court system would lock perpetrators away for a long stretch. But the crimes are often classified as misdemeanors, which have a maximum sentence of 150 days in North Carolina.
‘One piece of the safety plan’
Pursuing criminal charges is just one step victims can take to try to protect their safety, said Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman. Others include getting an alarm system and carrying mace, Freeman said.
In addition, they can request a protection order by going to the civil clerk’s office and filling out the paperwork, said Kerry Sutton, a family attorney.
People should never hesitate to report to police any repeated intrusions or instances or when they are made to feel unsafe, Freeman said.
The Raleigh Police Department advises victims of these crimes to always report them by calling 911 and to take other security precautions at home and work, spokesperson Jason Borneo wrote in an email.
“This includes walking outside with others in well-lit areas and being cognizant of your surroundings,” he wrote. And closing blinds and curtains at night, and having adequate lighting outside.
Inexpensive security systems also provide some deterrence, he wrote.
Victims of stalking can also explore options to conceal their address by using post office boxes or applying for the Address Confidentiality Program, a free program provided by the North Carolina Department of Justice.
Some women in Wake County who have accused a serial harasser of stalking and other crimes have acquired guns as another layer of protection, they said in interviews.
Keep up with court dates
Keeping with court appearances can be another challenge for victims of these crimes, as sometimes employee turnover at a courthouse, incomplete paperwork and an overburdened system can hinder the process.
To improve their chances of being notified, victims can sign up for court notices through North Carolina Statewide Automated Victim Assistance and Notification, as well as through the individual counties and through and Vine. Those services alert people about court dates and when someone is released from jail.
It’s also vital to understand the relevant laws.
More than half of the nation’s states, including North Carolina, classify stalking as a misdemeanor on the first offense and felony as a second, according to the stalking resource center. Repeat offenders can be charged with a Class F felony, which has a maximum sentence of 59 months, on the second charge.
Secretly peeping into a room occupied by another person, is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which has a maximum sentence of 120 days. If convicted of the crime a second time, a judge can rule the person a danger to the community and require them to register as a sex offender, according to state law.
Indecent exposure, exposing private parts in public places in the presence of others, is a Class 2 misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of 60 days. If the victim is an adult. It is a Class H felony if the victim is under 18.
In some cases when an offender is charged with multiple crimes from different instances, prosecutors may dismiss or lower some of the charges in exchange for a guilty plea from a defendant.
Virginia Bridges covers criminal justice in the Triangle and across North Carolina for The News & Observer. Her work is produced with financial support from the nonprofit The Just Trust. The N&O maintains full editorial control of its journalism.
This story was originally published July 5, 2023 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Is someone stalking, harassing you? Peeping in windows? Here are steps to stay safe."
