A High-Tech Twist on Abuse: Technology, Intimate Partner Stalking, and Advocacy
This Violence Against Women Online Resources commissioned document summarizes the existing knowledge on the use of technology to stalk. The author uses both published literature and contributions provided by numerous survivors’ reports to provide current information on the variety of sophisticated tools that are being used to stalk current and former intimate partners. The article also provides specific strategies for advocates, including safety planning information, a resource list, and a handout for survivors.
A Passport to Safety: Full Faith and Credit, A Judge's Guide
This publication is also known as "Passport to Safety" and is designed to facilitate the efforts of states, tribes, and territories to implement Full Faith & Credit Provisions of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Since its initial printing in 1999, VAWA has been amended twice - once in 2000 and again in 2005. This version reflects the 2005 amendments and expands "Passport to Safety" from its original issuing and enforcing benchcards to include two new subject-area cards: one on firearms and one on custody, visitation, and support provisions within protection orders.
Addressing Stalking in Indian Country
This article discusses the results of a June 1999 survey Mending the Sacred Hoop sent to approximately 150 tribes regarding tribal anti-stalking laws.
Addressing Stalking in Native American Communities
The Native American Circle, Ltd. and the Stalking Resource Center have defined project objectives and goals as: assist tribal nations in developing tribal legal codes, provide educational materials and training programs, develop model protocol for use by tribal nations to implement coordinated, multidisciplinary responses to stalking crimes in Indian country, assist in forming dedicated teams of police officers, prosecutors, court personnel, and parole and probation officers, identify promising practices to prevent and reduce stalking in domestic violence cases, and provide technical assistance and training in the use of federal laws regarding interstate stalking.
Assessing Justice System Response To Violence Against Women: A Tool for Law Enforcement, Prosecution, and Courts
This document contains an assessment tool for jurisdictions to use in developing effective responses by law enforcement, prosecution, and the courts.
Assessing Justice System Response To Violence Against Women
This is the second installment on this website from the STOP-TA Project's Promising Practices Initiative. The document contains profiles of 17 non-profit victim advocacy organizations around the nation. The profiles highlight innovative outreach and service delivery strategies that address the needs of victims of sexual assault, stalking and domestic violence.
Assistive Technology
This Tip Sheet on Assistive Technologywas developed to help agencies and communities respond effectively to the ways that technology impacts victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual violence and stalking. The document looks at how the technology works, how agencies and partnerships are using it, the benefits and risks, and things to consider when using Assistive Technology. Assistive Technology is an umbrella term that includes any device, equipment, product, or service that: increases, maintains, or improves access; decreases or removes systemic barriers; and supports accessibility, autonomy, and self‐determination for individuals with disabilities or who are Deaf.
Best Practices For Lawyers Assisting Pro Se Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking With Civil Protection Cases
These guidelines are intended to reflect the best national practices that may be used by civil lawyers who provide no-cost assistance to pro se victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in civil protection order cases. This manual will assist practitioners in planning and implementing a Pro Se Project (PSP) in a collaborative, cost-effective, and ethical manner. Through the use of a PSP, lawyers can provide legal guidance to victims who cannot, or will not, obtain full legal representation, thus mitigating the unmet legal needs of victims of violence in the community. Effective PSP legal services will build public confidence in a just and fair legal system by working to promote safety for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, and accountability for abusers.
Cloud Computing
This Tip Sheet on Cloud Computing was developed to help agencies and communities respond effectively to the ways that technology impacts victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual violence and stalking. The document looks at how the cloud computing works, how agencies and partnerships are using it, benefits and risks, and things to consider when using Cloud Computing.
Community Policing to Prevent Violence Against Women
This document is a training manual provided by PERF to advocates, police, social service providers, and other violence-against-women professionals. It is a resource guide for community-policing approaches to reducing and preventing violence-against-women.
Comprehensive Issue Spotting: A Tool for Civil Attorneys Representing Victims of Domestic & Dating Violence, Sexual Assault & Stalking
This is a client-centered tool for civil attorneys new to representing victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking to provide comprehensive representation and advocacy for their clients. This tool is not an intake sheet or a broad referral list, but should be used in conjunction with those items to facilitate effective and holistic client centered representation. This tool does not comprehensively address the specific needs of tribal communities.
Computers and Networks
This Tip Sheet on Computers and Networks was developed to help agencies and communities respond effectively to the ways that technology impacts victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual violence and stalking. The document looks at how the technology works, how agencies and partnerships are using it, benefits and risks, and things to consider when using Computers and Networks.
Creative Civil Remedies Against Non-Indian Offenders in Indian Country
"This report explores ways in which tribes can work within current jurisdictional limitations to impose significant, meaningful, and effective deterrents and consequences for non-Indian offenders."
Databases
This Tip Sheet on Databases and Specialized System Databases was developed to help agencies and communities respond effectively to the ways that technology impacts victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual violence and stalking. The document looks at how the technology works, how agencies and partnerships are using it, benefits and risks, and things to consider when using Databases.
Designing Accessible Events for People with Disabilities (PDF (original))
Do you host events--conferences, trainings, focus groups? Would you like to learn additional tips for maximizing access? Ensuring access for people with disabilities at your event starts from the very beginning of your planning process and takes into consideration everything from location and facility, to registration, to promotional materials, to room set-up, to on-site accommodations. To successfully meet the needs of your attendees with disabilities, as well as your legal obligations, access must be considered at every step of your event planning process.
Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault & Stalking Prevention and Intervention in Rural Native American Communities: Training, Research and Education Programs
A comprehensive training manual for rural Native American communities addressing domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking through training, research and educational programming. Note: This document provides a general overview. When developing a plan for your community, look to your own tribal codes and state and federal laws concerning confidentiality and explore methods which can be used in the civil or criminal justice arenas which would enhance victim safety.
FAQ's on Survivor Confidentiality Releases
This document addresses common questions regarding confidentiality and releases of information. It takes into account the confidentiality and privacy provisions in the U.S. federal Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (VAWA 2005). In analyzing the meaning and application of the confidentiality and privacy provisions of VAWA 2005, the purpose of the statute (to protect adult, youth, and child victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking and their families) must be kept at the forefront.
Federal Interstate Stalking Law
Provides definitions and interpretations of the Federal Interstate Stalking Law.
Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. Federal Laws & Confidentiality for Survivors
This piece addresses common confidentiality questions about several U.S. federal laws that may impact victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It highlights key confidentiality and privacy provisions in 2005 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act (VAWA) and the 2010 reauthorization of the Family Violence Prevention Services Act (FVPSA). With VAWA confidentiality provisions in mind, it also answers questions regarding the following U.S. federal laws: The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics (Clery), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), and, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
GPS Monitoring of Offenders
This Tip Sheet on GPS Monitoring of Offenders was developed to help agencies and communities respond effectively to the ways that technology impacts victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual violence and stalking. The document looks at how the technology works, how agencies and partnerships are using it, benefits and risks, and things to consider when contemplating GPS Monitoring of Offenders.
Having A Problem With An Account?
Technology helps victims flee violent batterers or stalkers, but various technologies in the hands of abusers and perpetrators can be dangerous and violate privacy. This document provides the contact information for customer support for many common internet and mobile phone accounts.
High-Tech Stalking
This Tip Sheet on High-Tech Stalking was developed to help agencies and communities respond effectively to the ways that technology impacts victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual violence and stalking. Stalkers are increasingly misusing a variety of telephone, surveillance, and computer technologies to harass, terrify, intimidate, coerce, and monitor former and current intimate partners. Perpetrators are also misusing technology to stalk before, during, and after perpetrating sexual violence. This document looks at how the technology works, how agencies and partnerships are using it, benefits and risks, and things to consider regarding High-Tech Stalking.
How to Start and Facilitate a Support Group for Victims of Stalking
The purpose of How to Start and Facilitate a Support Group for Victims of Stalking is to guide victim service providers, volunteers, and other concerned community members on how to initiate and implement a stalking support group. This handbook provides recommendations on how to locate partners and community support, identify resources, and engage victims who would like to participate in a stalking support group. It offers guidance on how to choose a leader or facilitator, how to prepare the leader, and how to run support group sessions that help members cope with the impact of stalking.
Leadership + Systems Change = Sustainability (PDF)
"The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of the Leadership + Systems Change = Sustainability pilot program, including initial outcomes. It draws extensively upon the stories and experiences of the advocates and faith leaders who worked in partnership with TC-TAT as well as from evaluations throughout the pilot program."
Model Campus Stalking Policy (PDF)
The Stalking Resource Center, a program of the National Center for Victims of Crime, partnered with the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA) to publish this model campus policy on stalking. Numerous colleges and universities across the country contact the Stalking Resource Center each year, requesting assistance on how to address stalking on campuses. Along with requests for technical assistance, schools have asked for examples of stalking policies they could adapt and implement on their campuses. This document is a direct response to those inquiries.
Online Privacy & Safety Tips
Browsing the web safely and privately is concern for many people. A good general rule is that nothing online is private. Another general rule is that you can’t be completely anonymous online. However, you can take steps to prevent sensitive and personal information from making its rounds on the Web..This Tip Sheet on Online Privacy & Safety Tips was developed to help agencies and communities respond effectively to the ways that technology impacts victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual violence and stalking.
Penalties for Interstate Stalking, Interstate Domestic Violence, Interstate Violation of A Protection Order
Descriptions of statutes and penalties for violations.
Practitioner Perspectives: Deirdre Keys, Stalking Program Coordinator, Battered Woman’s Legal Advocacy Project (PDF)
The Practitioner Perspectives series highlights promising responses to stalking across the United States. The Battered Woman’s Legal Advocacy Project’s Stalking Response Program is a state-wide resource for stalking victims based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Stalking Program Coordinator Deirdre Keys directs the program, holding information sessions and training for multidisciplinary audiences, and providing victim services to address the issue of stalking. Formerly at Cornerstone Advocacy Service, the Stalking Response Program recently created a stalking protocol for law enforcement, prosecutors, and direct service providers for the state of Minnesota.
Practitioner Perspectives: Deirdri Fishel, Detective, State College Police Department, Victim Centered Intensive Case Management Unit (PDF)
The Practitioner Perspectives series highlights promising responses to stalking across the United States. Detective Deirdri Fishel serves as the primary investigator and case manager for the State College Police Department’s Victim Centered Intensive Case Management (VCICM) Unit. The VCICM Unit is responsible for investigating, coordinating, prosecuting, and responding to domestic violence and stalking in Centre County, Pennsylvania.
Practitioner Perspectives: Rachel Solov, Deputy District Attorney, San Diego County District Attorney‘s Office, Sex Crimes & Stalking Unit (PDF)
The Practitioner Perspectives series highlights promising responses to stalking across the United States. Rachel Solov is currently the designated Stalking and Threat Assessment Expert in the North County Branch of the San Diego District Attorney’s Office and Association President of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP). ATAP is a multi-disciplinary group that is dedicated to training and research in the field of threat/violence assessment and management.
Privacy Considerations When Posting Content Online
This Tip Sheet on Privacy Considerations When Posting Content Online was developed to help agencies and communities respond effectively to the ways that technology impacts victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual violence and stalking. For those who want to be more protective of their online information, here are some questions to consider when posting content online.
Protection Order Registries and Databases
This Tip Sheet on Protection Order Registries and Databases was developed to help agencies and communities respond effectively to the ways that technology impacts victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual violence and stalking. The document looks at how the technology works, how agencies and partnerships are using it, benefits and risks, and things to consider when using Protection Order Registries and Databases.
Responding to Stalking: A Guide for Community Corrections Officers (PDF)
"This guide provides an overview of stalking and suggestions on how to supervise probationers and parolees who engage in stalking behavior."
Selecting a Database (PDF)
This chart provides agencies with an easy way to answer key questions to consider when selecting a database. The chart has sections that list questions for agencies to answer regarding: (1) general technical information, (2) data entry, (3) modifying fields and screens, (4) permissions and access, (5) reports, (6) data storage, (7) confidentiality and data ownership, and (8) breeches, liability and notice.
Stalking in Indian Country
This document provides information about stalking in Indian Country, barriers to relief, tribal anti-stalking codes and relevant federal codes.
Standards of Practice for Lawyers Representing Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking in Civil Protection Order Cases (PDF)
"These Standards are presented as aspirational guidelines for the operation of legal service providers, pro bono legal service providers, and individual lawyers representing victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in civil protection order cases."
STRATEGIES In Brief Issue #11: Stalking: Effective Strategies for Prosecutors
Allied criminal justice professionals and others with expertise in detecting and responding to stalking crimes understand the intense anxiety suffered by stalking victims and the link between stalking and other violent crimes, including arson, burglary, physical assault, and homicide. Unfortunately, despite growing public awareness of the prevalence of stalking and the dangerousness posed by stalkers, there remains a lack of information and knowledge of how to identify and respond to stalking techniques that are growing with technological advances and emboldened perpetrators. Further, victims still report that the criminal justice system minimizes –or deprioritizes--stalking-related crimes when they are reported. Prosecutors and other allied professionals can employ several strategies to improve their response to these crimes. This article includes three key strategies for successful investigations and prosecutions.
STRATEGIES Newsletter Issue #1: AEquitas: Established to Promote Justice in Violence Against Women Prosecution (PDF)
Issues of the AEquitas newsletter, STRATEGIES: The Prosecutors' Newsletter on Violence Against Women, will address specific substantive topics in the area of violence against women prosecution, discuss emerging issues faced by prosecutors and allied professionals, and present effective practices to overcome these obstacles. This issue provides an introduction to the work of AEquitas and their mission.
Summary of U.S. State Laws Related to Advocate Confidentiality (PDF)
This chart provides a summary of U.S. state laws related to advocate confidentiality. The chart includes the following sections (1) state, (2) summary, (3) privilege, and, (4) definitions.
Technology Safety Quick Tips
This Tip Sheet on Technology Safety Quick Tips was developed to help agencies and communities respond effectively to the ways that technology impacts victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual violence and stalking. This document describes different devices, risks to consider when choosing a device, and safety strategies that can be utilized for each device.
Teen Tools: Help for Teenage Victims of Crime
This is a resource sheet for teenage victims of crime.
The Facts about Stalking
This fact sheet provides current information and statistics on stalking. Information includes a working definition, exploration of different forms of stalking and legal protections for victims of stalking.
The Full Faith and Credit Project
An overview of the Full Faith and Credit Project, including their history, mission, and plans for the future. Updated June 2000.
The Snapshot Project
A project that gathered statistics and vignettes from states, tribes and local communities, in order to highlight changes that have occurred as a result of funding through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
The Violence Against Women Act: A Housing Toolkit for Advocates (PDF)
"The toolkit is designed to provide advocates with an overview of VAWA’s housing provisions and includes administrative guidance, recent legal developments, and sample advocacy materials."
Toolkit to End Violence Against Women (PDF)
To provide concrete guidance to communities, policy leaders, and individuals engaged in activities to end violence against women developed the Toolkit To End Violence Against Women. The recommendations contained in the Toolkit were reviewed by numerous experts in the fields of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking. Each Toolkit chapter focuses on a particular audience or environment and includes recommendations for strengthening prevention efforts and improving services and advocacy for victims.
Tribal Legal Code Resource: Sexual Assault and Stalking Laws Guide for Drafting or Revising Victim-Centered Tribal Laws Against Sexual Assault and Stalking (PDF)
"This guide for drafting or revising victim-centered tribal laws against sexual assault and stalking is written with a philosophy that tribal laws should reflect tribal values."
Workplaces Respond to Domestic and Sexual Violence: A National Resource Center
The Workplaces Respond to Domestic and Sexual Violence: A National Resource Center project offers information on the Internet for the benefit of those interested in providing effective workplace responses to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence and stalking. Funded by the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women, the Workplaces Respond project is a partnership of the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF), Legal Momentum, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and its National Sexual Violence Resource Center, Resource Sharing Project of the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault, American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence, Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence, and Victim Rights Law Center.