Bringing Awareness to Stalking

1/18/2013 (Updated 6:43:11 PM)

TOWN OF DICKINSON -- According to government statistics,  you may be the one in 6 women or one in 19 men who have or will experience stalking  during your lifetime.

Broome County Sheriffs say stalking is defined by unwanted contact by phone or by being followed that makes you feel fear.

Anybody can be a victim, targeted or random, and offenders can be someone you know, or strangers.
 
There are not many cases in Broome County, but Captain Frederick Akshar from the Broome County Sheriff's Office said there might be a disturbing reason why.

"As is the case in some domestic violence cases, some women and men don't come forward because they're fearful of what would take place after coming forward to law enforcement," said Akshar. 

"So I sincerely hope that is not one of the reasons we don't see the amount of cases.  But, if it is in fact the case, law enforcement certainly encourages folks, if they feel they're victims of crimes, to come forward and [they will] be given the appropriate protections they need."

Stalking is a crime in New York State.