January is National Stalking Awareness Month
"Helping victims of stalking become survivors, and educating the public with our "End This Silent Fear" campaign."
Everett, MA, January 04, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Feel Safe Again, Inc.
"Be Strong, Be Safe, and Be Heard!"SM
Feel Safe Again, Inc., a non-profit organization for victims of stalking, would like to use this month as an opportunity to educate the public about the pervasive crime that affects nearly 1.4 million Americans a year.
“We are once again asking the community for their help in recognizing National Stalking Awareness Month,” said Cheryl Darisse, founder and president. The organization was established in memory of Darisse’s sister, Sandra Berfield, who was stalked for over two years, before being killed on January 20, 2000, by a package-bomb her stalker hand-delivered to her Everett, Massachusetts home.
Stalking is typically defined as a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. It is a criminal offense under the laws of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the federal government. The National Center for Victims of Crime states, “Stalking is real, it's dangerous, it can be lethal and it's a crime.”
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, one in 12 women and one in 45 men will be stalked in their lifetime, for an average duration of almost two years. Seventy-six percent of female homicide victims were also stalked prior to their death, and more than half of these victims reported stalking to the police before being murdered by their stalkers.
“We are launching our annual “End This Silent Fear” campaign to educate the public about this serious crime of fear. It is extremely important that we raise awareness, as well as much-needed funds to help other victims become survivors,” said Darisse. “We are offering safety kits to local police departments, free safety trainings, and distributing brochures, flyers, calendars, and awareness ribbons throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont communities.”
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Tjaden & Thoennes. (1998). “Stalking in America,” National Institute of Justice, Washington, DC, U.S. Department of Justice.
"Be Strong, Be Safe, and Be Heard!"SM
Feel Safe Again, Inc., a non-profit organization for victims of stalking, would like to use this month as an opportunity to educate the public about the pervasive crime that affects nearly 1.4 million Americans a year.
“We are once again asking the community for their help in recognizing National Stalking Awareness Month,” said Cheryl Darisse, founder and president. The organization was established in memory of Darisse’s sister, Sandra Berfield, who was stalked for over two years, before being killed on January 20, 2000, by a package-bomb her stalker hand-delivered to her Everett, Massachusetts home.
Stalking is typically defined as a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. It is a criminal offense under the laws of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the federal government. The National Center for Victims of Crime states, “Stalking is real, it's dangerous, it can be lethal and it's a crime.”
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, one in 12 women and one in 45 men will be stalked in their lifetime, for an average duration of almost two years. Seventy-six percent of female homicide victims were also stalked prior to their death, and more than half of these victims reported stalking to the police before being murdered by their stalkers.
“We are launching our annual “End This Silent Fear” campaign to educate the public about this serious crime of fear. It is extremely important that we raise awareness, as well as much-needed funds to help other victims become survivors,” said Darisse. “We are offering safety kits to local police departments, free safety trainings, and distributing brochures, flyers, calendars, and awareness ribbons throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont communities.”
###
Tjaden & Thoennes. (1998). “Stalking in America,” National Institute of Justice, Washington, DC, U.S. Department of Justice.
Contact
Feel Safe Again, Inc.
Cheryl Darisse, LPN, Founder and President
(888) 99B-SAFE
www.feelsafeagain.org
For additional information or to schedule a free safety training.
Cheryl Darisse, LPN, Founder and President
(888) 99B-SAFE
www.feelsafeagain.org
For additional information or to schedule a free safety training.
Contact
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