What to do...

Picture

·      Stalking is unpredictable and dangerous. Because no two stalking situations are alike there are no guarantees that what works for one person will work for another, yet you can take steps to increase your safety. On average a women is stalked for 2 years so the best thing to prevent things from escalating is to take action immediately.

·      Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.


·      Trust your instincts, because if you feel unsafe you probably are.

·      Take all threats very seriously. Danger generally is higher when the stalker talks about suicide or murder, or when a victim tries to leave or end the relationship.

·      Contact a crisis hotline, victim services agency, or a domestic violence or rape crisis program. These resources can help you devise a safety plan, give you information about local laws, refer you to other services, and weigh options such as seeking a protection order.

·      Develop a safety plan. Change your routine, arranging a place to stay, and having a friend or relative go places with you. In addition, decide ahead of time what to do if the stalker shows up at your home, work, school, or somewhere else. Tell family members, neighbors, co-workers, and friends not give out any personal information. Pack an over night bag with clothes and important documents like a birth certificate.  Keep it in a safe place or with family/friends. Plan various escape routes in your home, school, work, etc. If the stalker had access to your computer and car take them into a professional establishment and have them look for any tracking devices the stalker may have added. Change the locks on the windows and doors and if neccessary have dead bolt locks installed. Give neighbors a specific signal if you are in danger; it could be as simple as turning the front porch light on during the day.

·      Don’t communicate with the stalker or respond to any attempts to contact you. Change your number and have it unlisted. Change email addresses and change your mailing address so any mail can go to a PO Box.

·      Keep evidence and records of the stalking. When the stalker follows you or contacts you, write down the time, date, and place. Keep e-mails, phone messages, phone logs, mail, letters, or notes. Photograph anything of yours the stalker damages and any injuries the stalker causes. Ask witnesses to write down what they saw.

·      Contact the police. The stalker may also have broken other laws by doing things like assaulting you or stealing or destroying your property.

·      Get a court order to keep the stalker away from you.

·      Tell family, friends, roommates, and co-workers about the stalking and seek their support. Tell security staff at your job or school. Ask them to help watch out for your safety, like walking you to your car late at night. Ask the local police if they can patrol your neighborhood at various times throughout the day and night. 


Information from Brochure found on Stalking Resource Center website:
http://www.ncvc.org/src/AGP.Net/Components/DocumentViewer/Download.aspxnz?DocumentID=46605



CBS The Early Show broadcast on 1/14 on "How to deal with Stalking"

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRrkUy9KJ48