Harassment: “knowingly pursuing a pattern of conduct that is intended to annoy, seriously alarm or terrorize another person and that serves no lawful purpose. The conduct must be such that it would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress.”

You can be harassed by phone calls, emails, text messages, social media, in person, or through messages. The first step to stop the behavior is to tell that person to stop the behavior that is concerning you. If the person continues their behavior after that, police intervention may be necessary. If you have any documentation or saved messages, please bring these when you file your report. Most harassment discontinues when a report is made and the subject is aware that police are ready to take action if the behavior continues. If not, the investigator can explain your options, depending on the situation.

Stalking:  “consists of knowingly pursuing a pattern of conduct, without lawful authority, directed at a specific individual when the person intends that a pattern of conduct would place the individual in reasonable apprehension of death, bodily harm, sexual assault, confinement or restraint of the individual or another individual.” “A pattern of conduct” means “two or more acts, on more than one occasion, in which the alleged stalker by any action, method, device or means, directly, indirectly, or through third parties, follows, monitors, surveils, threatens or communicates to or about a person.”

If someone is stalking you, report to police. This is a serious issue. Stalkers are known to escalate their behavior if they are not stopped. Millions of people are stalked each year. Most victims of stalking are afraid of what the person will do next, but they talk themselves out of seeking help because they think if they take action against the person, they might make things worse. Trust your instincts. There are many safe guards in place that will protect you, both on campus and off.

Use the many resources there are on campus to stay safe. There is Student Security in the resident halls on Main Campus, at Student Family Housing, and at the Rainforest. You can reach them at the SRC desk at (505) 277-2606. UNMPD has an escort service with Campus Security Officers and Police and can be reached at (505)277-2241. Both are open 24/7.

Download the Rave Guardian app on your phone and use those features. Remember that emergency blue phones are all over campus. If you need them, use them.