Stalking can happen to anyone, and may even involve family members, friends, or co-workers. Stalkers may target casual acquaintances or random victims, and have been known to stalk their victims for days, weeks, or even years. The target can become a prisoner in her or his own home.
Most stalking takes place between people who have known each other intimately. Domestic violence stalkers, as a category, constitute the most dangerous and potentially lethal group of stalkers. Abusers often feel taht their vctims belong to them, are theirs to control or to punish for trying to leave, and rationalize their inappropriate behavior by blaming the victim of their obsession. Leaving and abusive relationship takes careful planning and implementation. A local domestic violenc eshelter can assist in developing a safety plan. It may also help to use the plan on this web site.
If You Are Being Stalked
Stalking is an insidious crime because it can make a victim feel completely crazy. A stalker's goal is to twist her/his sense of reality with complete stealth. You can begin to help yourself by filling out the tracking form--it serves as a good reality check, and by telling the people who work, study, and live with you. There are also people and agencies in the area with a great deal of knowledge and understanding of stalking behavior and its impact on victims. Click on the "Resources" button on the navigation bar for those contacts.
Take Care of Yourself
Develop a support system, and if possible join a support group. Emotional support is critical during this time and afterward, especially because you may experience symptoms of extreme stress, such as rage, terror, suspicion, an inability to trust anyone, depression, changes in sleeping or eating patterns, exhaustion, and/or frequent crying spells. This is a result of the tension caused by relentless victimization. Talking to someone other than a friend or family member (who may want to help but can also get burned out) who is trained to work with victims/survivors may help alleviate the impact of this trauma on your life. Click on the "Resources" button for sources of counseling and support.