3.4 million people were victims of stalking in the United States during the last 12 months, according to a 2009 study by the U.S. Department of Justice. 76% of all women killed by partners were stalked prior to their demise. 130,000 victims of stalking were fired because of stalking activities perpetrated against them. Stalking is not a small problem. It can happen to anyone. A major step in controlling this threat is the ability to recognize when you are being stalked.
This article will take you through eight activities common to stalking, and how to recognize each one. The ability to recognize the actions of a stalker, will prepare you to respond appropriately and perhaps avoid potential physical violence.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
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Remember the definition of stalking is unwanted contact and/or pursuit that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. Are you receiving phone calls at all hours of the day or night? How about anonymous calls where the person just hangs up? Persistent phone calls are typical stalking behavior.
Resist the urge to respond. Just hang up. Remember that any communication you extend to a potential stalker will only encourage him/her to continue.
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Do you find someone (friend, ex-partner, or stranger) waiting, uninvited, outside your home or workplace? Again, typical stalking behavior. Stalkers tend to believe that you will grow to love them, if only you get to know them.
If you become aware of this activity, tell them once--and once only--to stop. Do not argue with them, or discuss anything with them. Just tell them to stop. From that point on, keep a written record of any contact whatsoever with this person. You may need it later. If keeping a record seems like to much to bother with, remember that stalking quite often escalates into violence. You do not want to become a statistic of this crime.
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Stop Stalkers
Stop Stalkers
Is someone making threats, even thinly veiled ones, to you, your friends, or family members? Have you or your family been made fearful as a result of these threats? Stalkers believe they are allowed to do anything to 'make you see the light.'
This is the point where you tell friends, family, and the police what is happening. There may not be enough evidence (have you been keeping written records?) for the police to respond, but at least they can be made aware of the potential problem. Telling friends and family also gives you witnesses. That way, it does not come down to your word against the stalker' s word. Keep records of each and every contact of any kind! It very well could be critical to your safety and survival.
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Has your significant other, or anyone else, threatened to kill themselves if you do not_____? Guess what? Yes, manipulative behavior of this sort is common with stalkers. They are looking to make you feel responsible for their very life. That way, you can't possibly not become involved with them.
Do not fall for it! You are not responsible for their survival. They are. Don't get tricked into responding--that is their ultimate goal. If you do, they have your tacit approval to continue (at least in their own mind).
Remember that most stalkers have an above average intelligence level. They know it is difficult, if not impossible, for a normal person not to respond to this kind of threat. You absolutely must resist your humanitarian urges in this particular instance. It would only succeed in prolonging the unwanted behavior.
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Document Everything
Document Everything
Are you receiving unwanted written messages (letters, notes, email, perhaps graffiti)? Are you the recipient of undesired gifts (ranging from romantic to bizarre-if you can imagine it, probably some stalker has sent it)? Stalkers often take advantage of any means available to stay in contact with you.
I realize this sounds like a broken record, but, ignore the communications and gifts, and document, document, document!
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Learn the Signs of Stalking
Learn the Signs of Stalking
Defamation of character is but another tool in the stalkers arsenal of behavior. They sometimes tell the most outrageous lies as an attempt to gain sympathy for their cause from their associates. Stalkers do not usually have a large circle of friends. They will often try to gain support from anywhere, by whatever means possible.
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The last common indicator of stalking behavior is objectification. This is when a person does whatever they can to make you out to be an object instead of a person. This kind of activity is also common to relationships that involve domestic violence. The person committing the crime does not see his/her victim as a person. The perpetrator is then free to feel and exhibit their anger without feeling remorse for doing so. This behavior makes it easy for the offender to be violent without having their conscience (if they have one at all) bother them.
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Don't Be A Victim
Don't Be A Victim
Keep in mind, stalking may include any one and/or all of these behaviors. Anyone can be a victim of stalking. All stalkers should be considered unpredictable and potentially dangerous. Do not ignore any of these potential warning signs. If you, or any of your friends, are experiencing these types of behaviors be aware. Don't become a stalker' s victim!
Read more: How to Identify a Stalker | eHow.com
http://www.ehow.com/how_4859303_identify-stalker.html#ixzz1AMdCloD7
