Article #513

Author: Linda E Cole

Being at the mercy of an obsessive stalker is a harrowing experience causing a victim to feel helpless. Many lock themselves in their houses too afraid to go out for fear of enraging their stalker and being physically attacked. The central plan of these predators is to isolate and intimidate their victim into submission and they will not stop until they achieve this or are ARRESTED!

In 2011 there became more awareness and help at hand for victims of stalking, as the statistics can no longer be ignored (At least one million a year in America alone). The more proactive a victim can be the quicker they may be rid of their stalker.

Here are some things you should know if you want to see your stalker behind bars and your life back to some kind of normality.

1. Document everything that happens and I mean everything. If they breath in your direction write it down and if you can take photos of any event without endangering yourself they could be valuable as evidence. Stalkers are slippery characters and often flee the scene before the law arrives but if you stay alert you may be able to catch them out. Keep letters, answering machine messages, photos of property damaged and affidavits from eyewitnesses. When something happens regarding you’re stalking write down the date time and incident.

2. DON”T GIVE UP as you are not alone. Make a complaint to the police and seek out local support groups and counseling. Here you will find people who can not only help you through the criminal justice process but will have important information about your rights as a victim of stalking. You do not have to stand up to this stalker on your own so surround yourself with as much support as possible. Professional counseling could prove invaluable, as it will help you with the fear, anxiety and depression generally associated with being stalked. There is not a lot of support in some countries outside of the U.S. but awareness is growing.

3. Get a private post office box. This will stop your private information falling into the hands of the stalker. When filling out documents that can become public, put as little personal information as possible and only use your post office box address.

4. Get an unlisted phone number and make sure no future information goes into a public phone book. Put a block on caller ID to stop your number from being disclosed when you make a call. Purchase a pre-paid cell phone and keep it with you at all times in case you need to call for help. If you are being harassed by phone screen your calls by letting them go to an answering service first. Tape any threatening calls as they could be used as evidence.

5. Tell your family and friends, employer and co-workers to be on alert for anyone asking for private information about you. If you have a photo and description of them (include car registration and description) make sure everyone you know has a copy. Include your neighbors in this process also as they may see the stalker prowling around your home. Support is everything in a situation like this.

6. Don’t beat yourself up. None of what is happening is your fault. Stalkers are often mentally ill people and outcasts of society.

7. If you are being threatened and feel you are in physical danger apply for a RESTRAINING ORDER. This will prevent the stalker from having any contact with you. You can apply through the courts and it would pay to have a lawyer or legal aid help you with this as each area and country can have different laws pertaining to stalking. Many stalkers ignore these orders, but if they come near you they can be arrested.

8. Protect passwords and accounts, as stalkers have been known to withdraw money and cancel credit cards. Change your email accounts if you are on the internet and avoid chat rooms, which are a popular hunting ground for stalkers. The advent of the internet has meant stalkers can communicate with unsuspecting victims without them knowing who they are. They use false names and ID and it is not until a victim meets them off-line do they find out the truth. For some innocent people this has been a fatal decision.

9. Keep yourself safe. Have keys, credit cards, emergency money, medications and valuables in an easy to access place so you can leave your home quickly if you are in danger. Also have phone numbers of agencies like women refuge handy. Have a safe place you can go to.

10. Carry pepper spray, a mobile phone and a digital camera at all times. Without becoming hyper-vigilant be aware of your surroundings at all times. As hard as it is you cannot afford to sit on the fence during a stalking. Find out as much information as you can and fight back. You want this criminal behind bars so he can never stalk again.

By following these guidelines you can hopefully avoid any interaction with the stalker.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/relationships-articles/stop-a-stalker-with-these-10-highly-effective-guidelines-4415724.html

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