Shreveport, La. – As domestic violence continues to challenge law enforcement and victim advocates in Caddo Parish, officials are focusing on a crime they say is often overlooked but can be a warning sign of escalating violence: stalking.

Stalking Prevention Training

The Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations are preparing for a specialized training aimed at helping professionals recognize and respond to stalking. District Attorney James Stewart says stalking is an important component of domestic violence cases because it often occurs before or after an abusive incident.

Stewart said recognizing stalking behaviors early can help prevent situations from becoming more dangerous. “Stalking can escalate into a more violent situation,” he said. “If you can catch it early, maybe you can prevent the more violent crime from happening.”

Leona Fitzgerald, a victim assistance professional, said stalking and domestic violence frequently overlap. “Many victims of stalking that we work with are also suffering in domestic violence situations and vice versa,” Fitzgerald said. “Most of the domestic violence victims that we work with have often been stalked in some form or fashion. And so it’s hard to address one without addressing the other.”

The upcoming training is being conducted by the Stalking Prevention, Awareness and Resource Center, known as SPARC, a national organization focused on stalking prevention and education. The free, daylong seminar will cover stalking dynamics, common tactics used by offenders, technology used in stalking, risk assessments, and strategies for victim safety and investigations.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.