WEBVTT

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In the United States, if you

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are in immediate danger, call

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emergency services.

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Otherwise, preserve evidence

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safely,

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seek victim support, and ask

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about reporting and a

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protective order.

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A lack of police action does

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not erase those options.

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Stalking is often a pattern,

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not one isolated message.

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Keep a factual log of dates,

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places, conduct, witnesses and

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the effect on your safety or

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daily life.

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Preserve original messages,

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call records and relevant

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images somewhere the other

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person cannot easily access.

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Label estimated dates honestly.

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Do not provoke contact, enter

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another person’s account or put

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yourself at risk to gather

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evidence.

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You do not need a perfect

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evidence file before asking for

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help.

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When reporting, explain the

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connected incidents and why you

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are afraid, including threats,

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injuries, weapons or an

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existing order.

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Separate what you personally

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observed from what someone else

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told you.

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Ask for the incident or report

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number, the officer’s name and

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how to provide further

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evidence.

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Ask whether a copy is available

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and how follow-up works.

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An advocate may help you

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organize the information or

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accompany you where permitted.

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Keep a safe record of the

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response.

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If police do not act, ask

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whether they recorded the

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report, need more information,

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or believe another agency has

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jurisdiction.

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You can ask about a supervisor,

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a detective or a victim

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advocate,

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and contact a local

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prosecutor’s victim assistance

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office where available.

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These are practical requests,

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not a right to force an arrest

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or prosecution.

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A court self-help center or

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legal aid service can explain

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possible civil protection.

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If a new incident creates

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immediate danger, seek

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emergency help again.

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A civil protective order and a

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criminal case are different

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processes.

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Ask the court which application

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fits the relationship and

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conduct, even if no criminal

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charge has been filed.

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Domestic violence,

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civil harassment and other

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orders have different

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eligibility rules.

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In California, for example, a

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civil harassment request can

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include a request for temporary

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protection while a hearing is

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arranged.

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The judge decides;

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a filed request is not a court

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order.

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Other states use different

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forms, standards and

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procedures.

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If you request or receive an

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order, check service

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requirements, hearing dates and

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what any temporary order

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actually says.

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Use the authorized service

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process;

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do not confront the person to

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deliver papers yourself.

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California’s guidance explains

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service and proof, including

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asking the court for more time

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when service fails.

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Keep a complete signed copy

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safely accessible.

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Report suspected breaches

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through the proper channel.

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An order can provide legal

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protection, but it is not a

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physical barrier or a guarantee

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of safety.

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If a device or account may be

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monitored, use a safer device

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to contact support when

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possible.

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The Federal Trade Commission

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warns that removing stalkerware

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or cutting off access may alert

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an abusive person and escalate

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danger.

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Plan with an advocate before

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resets, account changes or

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removing suspected tracking.

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Preserve evidence safely first.

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Blocking contact can also need

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a tailored safety plan.

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Unusual battery use can have

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many causes.

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Avoid unfamiliar tools

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advertised as an instant fix.

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Some stalking involving

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interstate travel, electronic

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communications or other covered

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conduct may fall under federal

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law.

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Specific intent,

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conduct, effects and

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jurisdictional requirements

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still matter;

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not every online threat becomes

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a federal case.

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The FBI accepts reports of

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possible federal crime through

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its official reporting channels

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or field offices.

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That does not automatically

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reverse a local police

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decision.

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A website tip is not emergency

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assistance, and submitting one

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does not guarantee

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investigation, arrest or

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protection.

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VictimConnect offers

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confidential support and

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referrals for people affected

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by crime.

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The National Domestic Violence

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Hotline offers advocates for

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relationship abuse.

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Their contact numbers are on

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screen, and their websites have

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further options.

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Contact them only through a

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channel you can use safely.

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These independent victim

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services can help with support

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and safety planning.

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They are separate from Legal

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Hotline and do not replace

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emergency responders.

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Read the answer and sources at

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Legal Hotline dot com, with a

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hyphen between Legal and

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Hotline.

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Our United States number is on

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screen for free general legal

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information.

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Legal Hotline is an information

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service, not a law firm or

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emergency responder.

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Lawyer matching is separate.