VHA Social Work

Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) - VETERANS & PARTNERS - What Is IPV?

Stalking - When a person frequently or continuously contacts, follows, talks to, or sends things to his/her partner when the other partner does not want them to do these things. 

Examples include:

• Knowing your daily schedule
• Showing up at places you go
• Sending mail, e-mail, texts, or pictures
• Calling or texting repeatedly
• Cyber-stalking - Contacting you or posting about you on social networking sites (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
• Creating a website about you
• Sending unwanted gifts
• Tracking you via GPS devices in your phone or car
• Gaining access to your email or social networking accounts 
• Using force in any way that intimidates
• Monitoring your online behavior or cell phone communication (texts and phone calls)

Seek Help:

• Download and review the Safety Planning Guide (pdf) for more information if you are being stalked or cyber-stalked.
• Some people experience only one form of intimate partner violence while others may experience many. Often IPV begins as infrequent mild emotional, verbal or coercive behavior, but it can escalate to become more frequent and severe. Intimate partner violence can be a single event or can occur on and off for many years. 
• You do not have to be sure you are experiencing or using intimate partner violence to receive help from the Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program. 

return to top