LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has proclaimed January 2006 Stalking Awareness Month in Michigan. Michigan was among the first states in the nation to observe Stalking Awareness Month.

"Stalking Awareness Month emphasizes the serious consequences of this criminal activity," Granholm said. "Often stalkers know no boundaries in their intimidating, violent behavior. We should all do what we can to provide support to stalking victims, and to collaborate to promote safety in our homes, neighborhoods and workplaces."

Crimes of stalking can have a devastating and, too often, deadly impact on their victims. When unwanted attention and personal contacts - such as phone calls, letters, e-mails and other unsolicited personal contacts – escalates, the results can have a profound impact on victims, psychologically, physically and financially. Stalking strikes terror in the hearts and lives of victims and comprises a real and frightening threat to them, their loved ones and our communities.

Michigan law defines stalking as "a willful course of conduct involving repeated or continuing harassment of another individual that would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed or molested."

Stalking became a crime in Michigan in 1993. Since 1990, anti-stalking legislation has been enacted in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. About 1.4 million people are victims of stalking in the United States every year. One in 12 women and one in 45 men will be stalked in their lifetimes. Seventy-seven percent of women and 64 percent of men know their stalker.

"It is important that stalking victims report the crimes to law enforcement," Marianne Udow, director of the Michigan Department of Human Services, said. "Victims can also contact their local domestic or sexual violence program for advocacy, counseling and, if necessary, shelter services."

The Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board funds agencies that provide those services statewide. Members of the legislatively enacted board are appointed by the governor and are charged with leading statewide efforts to eliminate domestic violence in the state. The board is administratively housed within the Michigan Department of Human Services.

"It is important for stalking survivors to know they are not alone and that there is help," said Debra Cain, executive director of the Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board. "Stalking Awareness Month affords us the opportunity to share this critical information with survivors in Michigan."