Turning Point’s Personal Protection Order Office assists with forms, motions, and e-filing 586-469-7494. Their 24-Hour Hotline is available for support, resources, and safety planning at 586-463-6990.
Media Contact: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466
Mount Clemens, Mich.—January 14, 2022— January is a time for fresh starts – a new year with refreshed resolutions and goals. But just because the numbers of the year change doesn’t mean the problems from the previous year disappear. January is National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM). Turning Point, an agency whose mission is to empower domestic and sexual violence survivors through comprehensive services and resources, is prepared to support those impacted by stalking.
“Stalking is a form of abuse that often takes place post-separation,” Sharman Davenport, Ph.D., President, and CEO of Turning Point, notes. “Unfortunately, leaving an abusive relationship does not mean the abuse ends. Stalking can also occur with someone who isn’t a former abuser or romantic partner.”
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), 1 in 7 women and 1 in 18 men have been stalked by an intimate partner during their lifetime, making them feel very fearful or believe that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed. Stalking is a crime throughout the United States. Associated charges vary based on the nature of the act and the state where the crime occurs. Common stalking tactics include:
- Being approached at home, work, or school
- Receiving unwanted gifts
- Being watched or followed
- Tracking through technology
- Receiving unwanted phone calls or messages
- Damaged personal items or property
- Threats by the offender
“Leaving an abusive relationship is the most dangerous time for a survivor and often takes planning to address barriers. Stalking should not be taken lightly and can escalate to physical violence,” Davenport notes. “Turning Point offers resources available to survivors to assist with safety planning.”
According to the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center (SPARC), most stalking victims know their offender in some capacity. For anyone facing a domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking situation, contact Turning Point’s 24-Hour Hotline at 586-463-6990 for support. It is available 24/7/365. Their Personal Protection Order office is available at 586-469-7494 to assist with forms, motions, and e-filing.
About Turning Point
Turning Point provides free comprehensive and confidential programs for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, their loved ones, and the community. Services include a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, housing, trauma advocacy/counseling, personal protection order assistance, legal advocacy, forensic nurse exams, first response advocacy, prevention, and community education. Second Hand Rose, another Turning Point service, provides survivors with gently used items while providing an opportunity for the community to donate and shop. Serving Metro Detroit for 41 years, Turning Point has helped over 100,000 survivors. Visit www.turningpointmacomb.org for more information.
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