Stalking can be a terrifying experience, but there are many ways to stay safe.
If you suspect someone is stalking you, the first step is to contact the local victim services agency. These trained advocates can help you stay safe, understand the law, and connect with other resources. In addition, they can offer emotional support and reassurance. It is also important to tell your friends and family about the stalking. Tell them as much as you feel comfortable sharing, and they may be able to help you feel less isolated.
Information about stalking
If you are experiencing repeated and unwanted surveillance, you may be the victim of stalking. Stalking behaviors include monitoring, following, harassment, and intimidation. They can also include a victim's physical location. If you think you are being stalked, you should seek help as soon as possible.
You can learn more about stalking from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Office on Women's Health. You can also consult the National Criminal Justice Reference Service. You can also find information on stalking on the Internet. The National Criminal Justice Reference Service provides the Virtual Library, as well as the Abstracts Database.
You can also visit the VictimConnect Resource Center of the National Center for Victims of Crime for information and service referrals. This website contains a chat option for anonymous support. The National Domestic Violence Hotline also offers information on stalking.
Identifying a stalker
If you have a stalker in your life, it's important to identify them as soon as possible. You can do this by telling different people about their activities, including your spouse, co-workers, and neighbors. You can also inform the doorman or office management. You should tell someone whose opinion you trust.
A stalker will frequently contact you, often repeatedly, and in intrusive ways. They will also have a general knowledge of your schedule. They may even make false police reports. It's important to never confront a stalker alone. It's best to get a second opinion from someone you trust, and alert the police if necessary.
The most common types of stalking involve people you know. A stalker may be an ex, a co-worker, or a scorned friend. You may not even realize it's a stalker until you notice a pattern of repeated unwanted behaviors.
Identifying a victim
A person can become a victim of stalking for a variety of reasons. These can include an unwanted attraction to another person, harassment, or fear. While some types of stalking can be harmless, others can be devastating. Knowing how to identify a victim of stalking can help you protect yourself.
If you feel that you are being stalked by an individual you know, contact local law enforcement. You can also notify co-workers or apartment managers. Be sure to screen anyone who enters your home or apartment. If you cannot leave the location, contact local law enforcement by calling 911. In addition to contacting law enforcement, you may also want to contact victim services and mental health professionals. If you own a pet, contact pet care facilities or safety services.
The Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center can provide technical assistance and resources to assist professionals in dealing with stalking cases. This national organization also develops policy and protocol to prevent, respond to, and intervene in stalking cases.
Identifying a stalker's motives
If you are suspicious of a stalker, there are several signs that can help you identify their motives. For one thing, they will most likely be lonely or dissatisfied. These types of stalkers have very poor social skills and are prone to feelings of entitlement. If they have a history of abuse, they will likely target someone they knew in the past. It is also common for stalkers to have romantic motives.
In addition to being obsessed with their targets, stalkers are likely to have repetitive thought patterns. They may have difficulty sleeping, eating, or working because their attention is focused on the target. A stalker may also blur the line between fact and fiction, and may even invent details about their past romantic relationships.
Identifying a victim's safety plan
If you feel that you or a family member is being stalked, you should call 911 for assistance. You should also alert trusted people about the stalker's actions. In addition, you should make a safety plan and identify multiple escape routes. If possible, you should use a different name and address for different places where you might be targeted.
If a stalker is threatening to meet with a victim, identify the specific steps that they take to make their safety plan a reality. They may offer to stop stalking you if you meet with them, or may threaten other abusive tactics. If you can identify these signs, it's possible to respond quickly to prevent the stalker from becoming more dangerous.
