Stalking

The following list are common signs of stalking.

• Threatening safety. Following, approaching, or confronting the targeted person.
• Appearing with no legitimate purpose at or around a place where a person can be found, including a residence, workplace, or school.
• Causing damage to property
• Placing an object on the person’s property, either directly or through a third person
• Causing an injury to a family pet
• Acts of communication that are harassing to the individual e.g. letters, packages, electronic transmissions, etc.

According to RSA 633:3-A it is against the law in NH for someone to:

• Purposely, knowingly, or recklessly engage in a course of conduct targeted at a specific person which would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her personal safety or the safety of a member of that person’s immediate family, and that person is placed in fear;
• Purposely or knowingly engage in a course of conduct that the actor knows will place an individual and/or that person’s immediate family member in fear for personal safety;
• Commit a single act of conduct that both violates the provisions of a protection order, divorce decree, or bail conditions, that prohibits contact with the individual and is an act of conduct, as defined below. The person must have been served or given notice of the protective order filed against him/her.
• Course of conduct refers to 2 or more acts that occur over a period of time, however short, that show evidence of a pattern of behavior. This includes any of the following acts against a person or her/his immediate family member.

If you suspect you are being stalked, threatened, harassed or intimidated by someone, you may want to consider the following:

• If you feel unsafe or if you are in immediate danger call 9-1-1
• Document everything related to the stalking including dates, time and what the stalker was doing, saying, wearing, driving, etc.
• Record names and contact information for anyone that may have also witnessed the stalking.
• Contact your law enforcement to report what is happening to you and any evidence that you may have that is related. Document for your records any communication with law enforcement, including officer names and case numbers.
• Please call our 24-hour confidential hotline 1-603-994-SAFE (7233) for emotional support. Advocates can also help you develop a safety plan.