Erin Andrews Partners with National Center for Victims of Crime

in stalking awareness campaign

Washington, DC-At a news conference held today on Capitol Hill, the National Center for Victims of Crime announced its new partnership with ESPN sportscaster Erin Andrews to raise awareness about stalking and video voyeurism and to improve our nation's response to these crimes.

            Ms. Andrews, who works for ESPN as a sideline reporter at televised basketball, baseball, and other sporting events, became a target of video voyeurism in 2008. An individual pursued her to a series of hotels in at least three states, shot video of her through a hotel room peephole, and posted the video on the Internet.  Late last year, the perpetrator pled guilty to one federal count of interstate stalking and was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to a pay a fine to the court and restitution to Ms. Andrews.  Although traumatized by the ordeal, Ms. Andrews resolved to help educate the public about video voyeurism and the use of technology to facilitate stalking.

            "I quickly learned how much we all need to know about stalking and how stalkers use technology," said Erin Andrews.  "I am so pleased to join the National Center for Victims of Crime and its Stalking Resource Center in a nationwide conversation about the dangers of stalking, the importance of taking the crime seriously, and need for stronger stalking laws."

In partnership with the National Center, Ms. Andrews will participate in a nationwide outreach campaign to educate the public, policymakers, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, victim service providers, and other professionals who work with victims. The campaign will also alert victims about the services of the National Crime Victim Helpline, 1-800-FYI-CALL, and provide information and resources on the National Center Web site, www.ncvc.org.

"We applaud the courage and generosity that moved Erin Andrews to undertake this campaign," said Mai Fernandez, executive director of the National Center for Victims of Crime. "By transforming her  ordeal into a force for change, she will inspire others  and educate millions about a frightening and dangerous crime."

Stalking is a serious crime that happens to 3.4 million Americans-not just celebrities-in a given year.[1] Three of four victims are stalked by someone they know, and one in four reports having been stalked through the use of some form of technology. [2] Stalking can lead to assault and even murder, and in one study, 3 of 4 female victims of homicide by an intimate partner had been stalked by that partner.[3]  The Erin Andrews-National Center campaign will highlight the pervasiveness and danger of stalking, and the need for stronger nationwide responses to this crime.  

For more information about stalking, visit the Stalking Resource Center, www.ncvc.org/src, or call 202-467-8700.           

July 27, 2010                                                  

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The National Center for Victims of Crime, established in 1985, is the nation's leading resource and advocacy organization for crime victims and those who serve them. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the National Center has led this nation's struggle to provide crime victims with the rights, protections, and services they need to rebuild their lives. The National Center's National Crime Victim Helpline, 1-800-FYI-CALL, is a lifeline for tens of thousands of victims who, each year, receive one-on-one support to understand the impact of crime, deal with its consequences, access victim compensation, develop safety plans, navigate the criminal justice and social services systems, learn about their legal rights and options, and find the most appropriate local services.

[1] K. Baum et al, "Stalking Victimization in the United States," (Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2009).
2 Ibid.
3 J. Macfarlane et al. "Stalking and Intimate Partner Femicide,"  Homicide Studies: 3:4 (1999).