Family & Safety

Safety planning is coming up with a specific plan to increase safety for a survivor of violence, abuse, harassment, or stalking.  It is a personalized plan developed with the person and their particular circumstances in mind.

Stalking is when one person repeatedly contacts, communicates with, or follows another person. It must be done in such a way that the survivor could reasonably be expected to suffer:

• Emotional distress,
• Fear for their safety, or
• Fear for the safety of someone else.

To legally be considered stalking under Illinois law, there must be at least two separate incidents of this behavior. Read more about Stalking and Stalking No Contact Orders common questions.

It depends. If the survivor is experiencing stalking as part of domestic violence or abuse, then there can be additional factors to consider, such as forced communication while co-parenting children. Learn more about domestic violence safety planning.  This information is geared toward survivors of stalking who do not otherwise have a family or household relationship with the stalker and who do not experience any other kind of violence or abuse other than the stalking. However, some of these ideas can still be implemented in a relationship involving domestic violence.

A survivor of stalking may consider incorporating certain actions into their daily routine to increase their safety:

• Install deadbolt locks, alarms, visible security cameras, motion-detection lighting, or any other device to increase home safety and security.
• Consider changing routines, hours, and routes to places like work, school, the grocery store, and home on a regular basis, if possible.
• Avoid traveling alone as much as possible. Ask a security guard, friend, or colleague to walk to transportation.
• Tell friends, family, employers, neighbors, and others about the stalking so they can be aware of the situation and help. Share a photo so they know what the stalker looks like and what car they drive, and ask them to contact the police if the stalker is seen.
• Plan escape routes and pack an escape bag of important documents (birth certificate, passport, Social Security card, etc), money, prescription drugs, and other items. Decide on options of where to go, like a friend's or family member’s home, the police station, and domestic violence shelter.
• Consider getting a second phone to use if the stalker has the survivor’s phone number.  Lifeline, a program of the Federal Communications Commission, offers discounted phone or internet services. Consider leaving the first phone number automatically routed to voicemail to document calls.
• Talk to employers about ways to make the workplace safer, like not providing contact information to anyone.  Read more about Protections and rights in the workplace common questions.
• Check for tracking apps and devices. Learn more about Tracking devices and abuse.
• Run an internet search of the survivor’s name. Organizations may consider removing personal information if asked, and there are sometimes laws that require removal if there are safety concerns.
• Report the stalking to the police and get a police report.
• Get a Stalking No Contact Order against the stalker and carry a copy at all times, as well as provide a copy to security at work, school, and apartment managers.

There are a lot of online resources on stalking safety planning that can be used for additional ideas:

• Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center (SPARC)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline
• WomensLaw.org

Domestic violence organizations and other victim services organizations can help a survivor of stalking review their particular situation and develop a unique safety plan.

Yes. It could be helpful in a legal case to document any incidents involving stalking, including date, time, witnesses, and description.  There are templates for stalking logs in English and Spanish that are online to consider using.

Save documents like emails, letters, text messages, and voicemails, as well as items like gifts. Screenshots can also be taken, but be aware of apps that notify the sender if one is taken.

This information may be useful in Starting a case to get a Stalking No Contact Order.

Learn more about getting a Stalking No Contact Order in Illinois.

The Illinois Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), administered by the Illinois Attorney General’s office, can provide survivors of stalking with a substitute address that can be used for state and local government records. They can also be used for personal mail. Mail sent to the ACP will be forwarded to the survivor at their real address. Learn more about the Address Confidentiality Program.

Yes, a survivor of stalking can apply to receive financial assistance from the Illinois Crime Victim Compensation fund under certain circumstances. While it can reimburse things like lost wages or medical or mental health expenses, the money can also be used to relocate to a new home as a result of a crime. Learn more about Compensation for crime victims and how to apply by visiting the Illinois Attorney General’s website and brochure in English and Spanish.

Yes, under the Illinois Safe Homes Act, a stalking survivor has the right to end a written or oral lease early without paying additional rent, as well as asking the landlord to change the locks in certain circumstances. This applies to private rental housing and subsidized housing, but not to public housing.

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a federal law that also protects stalking survivors who live in public housing, project-based Section 8 housing, private housing with a Section 8 voucher, and other types of housing.  The building owner cannot evict the survivor if they are a survivor of stalking. The property owner cannot refuse to provide housing assistance to a survivor if they otherwise qualify.

For more information, read the Shriver Center publication in English and Spanish.

Yes, the Illinois Bill of Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act is a list of rights a stalking survivor has in criminal court proceedings against their stalker, some of which are important to safety planning, such as:

• The right to be notified of and a hearing about a request for access to any of the survivor’s records, information, or communications that are confidential by law or privileged;
• The right to have the safety of the survivor and their family considered in deciding the stalker’s bail, determining whether to let the stalker out of jail, and setting the stalker’s conditions of release after arrest and conviction; and
• The right to be notified of the conviction, sentence, imprisonment, and release of the stalker.

The Office of the Attorney General handles complaints and violations of this Act.

If the stalking survivor is an immigrant, there may be an immigration-related option that allows them to remain in the US. The U visa allows stalking survivors who are helpful to law enforcement or the government in investigating or prosecuting crimes to stay in the US. Those approved can eventually apply for legal permanent residency and employment authorization. Learn more about Protections for victims of crime with a U Visa. 

Note that immigration law is rapidly and frequently changing. It is recommended that the survivor speak with an immigration lawyer about their specific immigration situation.

A lawyer or a domestic violence organization staff member will be familiar with the various laws in place that are a part of safety planning for a survivor of stalking. A lawyer can also assist the survivor with getting a Stalking No Contact Order, which is an important tool in safety planning.

You can use Get Legal Help to find a free legal aid organization or private lawyer near you.