Catholic Charities Harbor House urges the community to recognize Stalking Awareness Month in January

WICHITA, KAN. — The National Center for Victims of Crime has designated January as National Stalking Awareness Month, a time to focus on a crime that affects 3.4 million victims each year.  Catholic Charities Harbor House joins the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence in encouraging everyone to learn the facts and know where to find resources available for victims of stalking in Wichita and the surrounding area.

Unlike other crimes, stalking is a series of acts — a course of conduct that causes fear.  It can take many forms, including: following, continuously contacting, harassing and vandalizing.  The Office on Violence Against Women of the U.S. Department of Justice reports the following (learn more at stalkingawarenessmonth.org):

• 46 percent of stalking victims experience at least one unwanted contact per week. 
• Most victims, three out of four, are stalked by someone they know.
• One in eight employed victim’s loose time from work.
• One in seven stalking victims relocate as a result of their victimization.

Catholic Charities Harbor House provides crisis services to victims of sexual and domestic violence and stalking. “Stalking is a problem in Wichita and the surrounding areas.  To ensure that victims in our community are receiving the services they need, we need everyone to be ready to make a referral to our agency,” said Gina Wendt-Blasing, Director of Domestic Violence Services at Catholic Charities Harbor House.

Catholic Charities Harbor House provides shelter, education, outreach and prevention services to victims and potential victims of domestic violence.  Catholic Charities Harbor House also provides information and resources for community members — anyone has the potential of interacting with a victim who may or may not have disclosed that she’s a victim of stalking, sexual or domestic violence. 

“It will take all of us working together to end stalking in our community, and Catholic Charities Harbor House needs your support,” Wendt- Blasing said. “More than 300 women and children sought shelter from our agency last year and over 1,500 people were affected through our outreach and prevention services.” Catholic Charities Harbor House serves victims in Wichita and the surrounding areas. You can support our organization by visiting our website at www.catholiccharitieswichita.org to learn more about what you can do to help stop the cycle of domestic violence here in Wichita and the surrounding area.

Catholic Charities Harbor House is a member of the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV), a network of 30 statewide advocacy organizations working to provide support and safety for all victims of sexual and domestic violence, dating violence and stalking.  Learn more about statewide initiatives at kcsdv.org or by calling (785) 232-9784.  The Kansas Crisis Hotline is 888-END-ABUSE.