Avoid Becoming The Victim Of A Stalker

Stalking is a very serious and all-too-common crime. According to the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC), over 1 million women and over 370,000 men are victims of stalking each year in the United States. When someone is being stalked by a stranger, friend, or intimate partner, it can lead to a loss of quality of life, and feelings of anxiety, paranoia and fear. While stalking is considered against the law in all 50 states, victims are often afraid to report their stalkers, sometimes resulting in deadly consequences. Only about half of stalking victims file complaints with the police, but you should take stalking very seriously. By being assertive and following some of these simple safety guidelines from the NCVC, you can prevent a stalker from being in control of your life.

• Contact your local law enforcement agency to find out about stalking laws in your state. It’s easier to identify inappropriate behavior when you know how stalking is defined in your area.
• Don’t be afraid to report suspicious activity. Even if no crime has been committed, at least there will be a police record of inappropriate behavior on file, in case further action needs to be taken.
• Keep a diary of all incidents, including their date, time, and location. This will help you establish a pattern.
• If you are being cyber-stalked or harassed online, save and print all conversations and messages as evidence.
• Travel in groups as often as possible. There’s safety in numbers.
• File a restraining order.
• Don’t show fear. Stalkers prey on victims who are easily intimidated, so it is important to keep your guard up.

For more information and resources about stalking, and how you can help prevent yourself from being a victim, check out the NCVC website.