Hubbard House :: Newsroom :: Press Release

1/5/2009

HUBBARD HOUSE OBSERVES NATIONAL STALKING AWARENESS MONTH

During January 2009, Hubbard House, the certified comprehensive domestic violence center serving Duval and Baker counties, will observe National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM). The National Center for Victims of Crime launched NSAM in January of 2004 to increase the public’s understanding of the crime of stalking.

Legal definitions of stalking vary state-to-state but a good working definition of stalking is a course of conduct directed to a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. Stalking isn’t limited to following someone; it can also include leaving unwanted gifts, incessant calling and any other acts meant to harass or intimidate.

According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, 1 in 12 women and 1 in 45 men will be stalked in their lifetime. Stalking is becoming more prevalent even though it is a crime under the laws of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Federal Government. Stalking incidents reported in the state of Florida last year increased by nearly eight percent from 2006.

This year’s NSAM theme, “Stalking: Know It. Name It. Stop It.” challenges the nation to combat this dangerous crime by learning more about it. Eighty-one percent of women stalked by a current or former intimate partner are also physically assaulted by that partner. Hubbard House supports NSAM as another step towards ending domestic violence and fulfilling its mission of Every Relationship Violence-Free. For more information, visit www.stalkingawarenessmonth.org or www.hubbardhouse.org .

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship please call the Hubbard House hotline at (904) 354-3114 or 1 (800) 500-1119.

ABOUT HUBBARD HOUSE
Hubbard House is a nationally recognized leader in domestic violence intervention. Founded as the first domestic violence shelter in Florida in 1976, Hubbard House is a certified, comprehensive domestic violence center providing programs and services to more than 5,000 women, children, and men annually in Duval and Baker counties. While Hubbard House is most known for its emergency shelter, the agency also provides extensive adult and youth outreach services, school-based education, nationally accredited therapeutic childcare, batterers’ intervention programs, court advocacy and volunteer and community education opportunities.

©2009 Hubbard House. Email: hubbardhouse@hubbardhouse.org Site developed by the Dream Marketing Communication Co.

If you need immediate assistance, dial 911. If you need safe shelter or want to talk to someone, call our 24-hour hotline at (800) 500-1119 or (904) 354-3114.

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION (CH928) AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (1-800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. HUBBARD HOUSE, INC. RETAINS 100 PERCENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED.

Your gift is tax deductible as allowed by law; Hubbard House is registered with the state under the Solicitation of Contributions Act, 1992 under Federal Tax Identification Number 59-1814635.