Becoming a victim of a stalker can put a person in a state of fear 24 hours a day. It is important to take a stalker serious because you don’t know what that person is capable of or what their intentions are.

Crime Stoppers has provided some tips if you are being stalked. Remember that every situation is different. Use your own judgment as to what actions to take. Make sure you have communicated a definite “NO” to the stalker, not just brushed them off. Then end all communication with them.

Regardless if you file formal charges, report that you are a victim of stalking your local police department. Don’t ever feel like you are being a “pest”. Don’t blow off contacting law enforcement about each and every contact from your stalker, whether in person, by phone, by mail, by instant message or any other means.

Consider filing a restraining order. If you know who the stalker is, the cop will check out their criminal background. This can be important information to help make your decision about getting a restraining order or not – especially if your stalker has a violent past.

Keep detailed documentation of when your stalking comes into contact with you. Keeping a journal or diary is a good way of keeping track of your stalker’s activities. Keep recordings of threatening telephone calls. Have a camera handy and take pictures. Make sure to write down identifying information. (License plate number, personal appearance, etc.)

Maintain your privacy. Never give out your personal information where it can be overheard. Remove your phone number and social security number from as many items as possible. Use an office box. Do not use your residential address when having things mailed or shipped to you.

Let your friends, family, and co-workers be aware of your situation. The more eyes you have watching over you, the safer you will be. While going out, make sure you go with another person or group. When leaving work, ask security to escort you to your car.

In the book, Understanding-and Surviving-America’s Stalking Epidemic, Linden Gross identified ten common mistakes that stalking victims make.

1. Not listening to your intuition.  You need to keep your internal radar tuned to pick up signals that something might be wrong.
2. Letting someone down easy, instead of saying a definitive NO if you’re not interested in a relationship. Trying to be nice can lead a potentially obsessive suitor to hear what he or she wants instead of the message that you’re not interested.
3. Ignoring the early warning signs that annoying attention might escalate into dangerous harassment and pursuit.
4. Responding to a stalker in any way, shape, or form. That means not acceding to your stalkers demands even once he or she has introduced threats.
5. Trying to reason or bargain with a stalker. Stalking is like a long rape.
6. Seeking a restraining or protective order. All too often, this one act propels stalkers to act violently. Still tempted to get that piece of paper?
7. Expecting police to solve your problem and make it go away. Victims have to take 100 percent responsibility for their dealing with the situation.
8. Taking inadequate privacy and safety precautions.
9. Neglecting to enlist the support of family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, therapists and other victims. It may be tough to admit that you’re being stalked, but it’s not your fault. Learn how to gather the people who will constitute your first line of defense.
10. Ignoring their emotional needs during and after a stalking.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 8th, 2010 at 12:30 pm and is filed under Crime Safety Tips, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.