For the past nine years one of Someplace Safe’s biggest fundraisers has been our Tea and Silent Auction, held annually in Fergus Falls. Throughout the years we have been fortunate to have support from many local individuals and businesses, either by helping to sponsor the event, hosting and decorating a table, donating to the silent auction, or by attending this fun and lively event.

The 9th Annual Tea will be held on Saturday, February 25th, 2012, at Minnesota State Community and Technical College at 1414 College Way in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. In addition to a wonderful brunch and silent auction, The Fergus Falls School of Dance will be performing along with The Center Diva’s, a singing group from Fergus Falls. This is sure to be another fabulous event and great way to spend the day with friends.

Year after year, table hostesses show their creativity through the tables that they design. From table themes as varied as ‘Through the Looking Glass’ to ‘Owls and Their Prey’, each and every table is a work of art.  Besides the wonderful entertainment and delightful tables there is also time to visit with friends new and old while helping to raise money for Someplace Safe programming and services.

If you are interested in either attending or assisting with this year’s Tea, please contact the Fergus Falls Outreach Office at 218-739-2853.

January is National Stalking Awareness Month, a time to focus on a crime that affects 3.4 million victims a year.1 This year’s awareness theme—“Stalking: Know It. Name It. Stop It.”—challenges the nation to fight this dangerous crime by learning more about it.

Stalking is a crime in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, yet many victims and criminal justice professionals underestimate its seriousness and impact. In one of five cases, stalkers use weapons to harm or threaten victims,2 and stalking is one of the significant risk factors for femicide (homicide of women) in abusive relationships.3 Victims suffer anxiety, social dysfunction, and severe depression at much higher rates than the general population, and many lose time from work or have to move as a result of their victimization.4

Stalking is difficult to recognize, investigate, and prosecute. Unlike other crimes, stalking is not a single, easily identifiable crime but a series of acts, a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause that person to feel frightened, threatened, oppressed, persecuted, or intimidated. Stalking may take many forms, such as assaults, threats, vandalism, burglary, or animal abuse, as well as unwanted cards, calls, gifts, or visits. One in four victims reports that the stalker uses technology, such as computers, global positioning system devices, or hidden cameras, to track the victim’s daily activities.5 Stalkers fit no standard psychological profile, and many stalkers follow their victims from one jurisdiction to another, making it difficult for authorities to investigate and prosecute their crimes.

Communities that understand stalking, however, can support victims and combat the crime. “If more people learn to recognize stalking,” says Erin, a Someplace Safe advocate, “we have a better chance to protect victims and prevent tragedies.”

If you are a victim of stalking please contact your local Law Enforcement agency or Someplace Safe at 800-974-3359. For additional resources on National Stalking Awareness Month, please visit http://stalkingawarenessmonth.org or www.ovw.usdoj.gov.