MINOT, ND ( KXNET ) — Stalking on college campuses is a problem that seems to only be getting harder to solve.

According to the University of Alaska Anchorage, as of last year, 6 to 39 percent of college students report being stalked since entering college. Stalking, which is associated with people showing up at places when someone doesn’t want them to be there, often can be seen as normal, and many people fail to recognize it.

Minot State University’s Director of Safety and Security, Gary Orluck, says that there has been an upward trend of stalking cases on MSU’s campus in recent years.

“Social media stalking which is a newer phenomenon,” he explains. “In the last four or five years, it’s come up, and that can be scary for someone that’s being harassed on social media.”

According to Orluck, in the last year, multiple instances of stalking through social media were reported to the campus’s Title Nine office. Once an incident of stalking is reported, campus security will conduct a full investigation until the situation is resolved. Orluck says that campus security provides several services to students who don’t feel safe walking on campus by themselves.

“You can call us,” he states, “and we will respond. We will walk with them, and give them a ride if it’s a far distance. We limit those calls to on campus — we can’t go across town.”

There are also blue light security button systems located all across campus. If students feel they are in danger, they can press the button on the lights. This button will sound an alarm while alerting both police and campus security.

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Today's Top Stories

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KX NEWS.