Title IX office participates in National Stalking Awareness Month

Chadron State College's Title IX Coordinator Morgan Cullan said, according to SPARC, one in 10 undergraduate women and one in 33 undergraduate men will be a victim of a stalker while in college. The group of 18 to 24-year-olds experience the highest rate of stalking, so that is a potentially vulnerable time. Cullan said it is important students feel informed so they can begin to recognize symptoms of stalking.

Cullan added that being able to recognize healthy versus unhealthy relationships is a key skill in preventing stalking. She said to trust your instincts, be aware of your surroundings, don't walk in dark areas at night alone, and to let your friends know when you will be back.

“Set boundaries. If somebody is not willing to respect those boundaries, start noticing. My best recommendation is, even if it seems innocent, is to report the concerning behavior to us so we can start documenting it,” Cullan said.

Doves is a Chadron advocacy program Cullan, Fernau, and designee Nathan Favaloro work with closely.

“Document incidents and let our department know so we can keep a record for you. If it gets to a point where you need to put in a legal order or no contact order, Doves is a great resource to help fill that paperwork out, file it, and explain the next steps,” Fernau said.

If her office receives a report of possible stalking, Cullan said she will call the other person in and listen to their side of the story to see if she has all pertinent information.

“Just having that educational talk lets them know some of their behaviors can be concerning. Oftentimes individuals who might be guilty of this behavior might not be aware of it. Education is an opportunity to try to educate that person and, hopefully, make the behavior stop,” Cullan said.

Contact Cullan at 308-432-7020, 308-430-0980, or email her at mcullan@csc.edu. Reach Fernau at 308-432-6477 or rfernau@csc.edu. To contact Doves, call 866-953-6387. Campus Security will escort students, if needed, by calling 308-360-1887 or 308-430-4142.