UNIVERSITY

Stalking

Contact

The Equal Opportunities Working Group provides support and advice in cases of suspected stalking.

E-mail: AKG [dot] buero [at] aau [dot] at

Stalking is when a person persistently pursues another in a way that is likely to threaten their physical and/or psychological wellbeing and safety and unreasonably interferes with their way of life.

To improve the protection of victims of stalking, Austria has adopted a so-called anti-stalking law, which became legally effective on 1 July 2006. Stalking is defined as at least one of the following actions by a perpetrator that impairs the victim, and the behavior continues over a longer period of time:

The person

seeks the physical proximity of the person concerned (e.g. following by car, waylaying at home or in the workplace)
establishes contact with the person by means of telecommunications or other means of communication or through third parties (e.g. frequent letters, e-mails or text messages)
orders goods or services in the person’s name using personal data (for example clothes from a mail-order company)
persuades third parties to contact the person using personal data (for example placing contact ads on behalf of the victim)

Stalking shall be refrained from and prevented.

“All university employees are obligated to refrain from and prevent harassment, sexual harassment, bullying and stalking, and to promote respectful, cooperative interaction between university employees.” (Article 5 Para. 1 Statutes Part E/III Equal Opportunity Plan)

FAQ STALKING

What is stalking?

Stalking is persistent persecution.

What is cyber-stalking?

Cyber-stalking is a form of stalking in which the Internet or other communication technologies are used.

What can I do as a person being stalked?

Act quickly. Make it clear to the person once and unequivocally that you do not want any contact. Ideally, you should do this in the presence of witnesses. Then consistently ignore the person (as far as possible). Document every contact and save evidence (WhatsApp messages, SMS, entries in social networks, letters, etc.). Inform your private and professional environment that you are being “stalked” and inform the contact points of the university.