Stalkers & How to Deal

The Supplemental Victimization Survey (SVS), which was conducted by The U.S. Department of Justice, defines stalking “as a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear,” and identifies seven types of behaviors associated with stalking:

1. making unwanted phone calls
2. sending unsolicited or unwanted letters or e-mails
3. following or spying on the victim
4. showing up at places without a legitimate reason
5. waiting at places for the victim
6. leaving unwanted items, presents, or flowers
7. posting information or spreading rumors about the victim

It is important to remember that these actions individually are not necessarily considered crimes, but when they are being performed collectively and repeatedly they can instill fear in the victim and therefore become an issue where the law must intervene.

According to a study performed by The National Center for Victims of Crime,  3.4 million people over the age of 18 are stalked each year in the United States. 11% of stalking victims have been stalked for 5 years or more.

Other facts include:

1. 46% of stalking victims experience at least one unwanted contact per week.
2. Weapons are used to harm or threaten victims in 1 out of 5 cases.
3. 89% of femicide victims who had been physically assaulted had also been stalked in the 12 months before their murder.
4. Stalking is a crime under the laws of 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Territories, and the Federal government
5. More than 1/2 of states classify stalking as a felony upon second or subsequent offense or when the crime involves aggravating factors.

Stalking can be a very serious crime, and even famous names have been made victims.  Recently, MTV’s The Hills star Audrina Patridge found out the hard way how difficult it is to get rid of a stalker, even when the law is on your side! After having testified against a man who was repeatedly showing up at her doorstep, making threats and apparently offering her strange drawings, she managed to get a permanent restraining order from an LA judge against him just last year.  It did not, however, seem to deter him, since he was arrested just last week for knocking on the reality starlette’s door and therefore breaking the rules of the order. He is set to be sentenced this week.

Below is a list of precautions provided by Crime-Safety-Security.com in case you find yourself in a situation with a stalker.

1. Never let him know he’s having any effect on you – never give him a “reward.”
2. Never throw away any identifying mail. Shred everything.
3. If you’re being harassed by telephone, leave that line connected to a recorder for gathering evidence, and get a second line (unlisted) that you give only to your most trusted friends.
4. Get Caller ID on your phone.
5. Get a camera cell phone and document every encounter.
6. Have your friends, neighbors, and coworkers help shield you.
7. Change your schedule to make it harder to follow you.
8. Circle your block a few times before going home to see if he’s following you or lurking about your house (if so, go straight to the police station).
9. Plan an escape route in case the stalker enters your home, or which streets to use if someone follows you (whether you’re on foot or driving). Have it clear in your mind before you need to escape so that high anxiety won’t cloud your judgment.