Stalking safety plan: What to do if you’re being stalked

Odds are, you or someone you know has suffered from stalking. It affects 3.4 million Americans each year, including our community members. While commonly thought of as a celebrity problem, it is overwhelmingly an “average” citizen issue.

During January, Stalking Awareness Month, Middle Way House wants you to know how to protect yourself or someone you know from this dangerous crime. We want to become a trusted ally for community members experiencing it.

It should come as no surprise that domestic violence survivors are most at-risk for stalking, particularly right after leaving an abusive relationship. It’s meant to maintain the abuser’s power and control.

Traditionally, it has meant the perpetrator repeatedly follows, contacts and threatens the target. Social media now allows for easy tracking, and new technology has led to an increase in what’s called cyberstalking.

Stalkers use the web to humiliate, isolate and induce fear. You don’t have to own a computer to be affected by cyberstalking because stalkers can create fake accounts.

If you’re being stalked, it’s critical to keep a phone on you at all times. It’s also advisable that you inform your neighbors or co-workers about the situation so they can call the police if needed.

Go to a safe place when in danger, and pack a bag so you’ll be ready.

Keep evidence of stalking behaviors such as messages and gifts and maintain a log of each incident. If you decide to report to the police or file a protective order later on, this is crucial evidence.

If you think you are being tracked with GPS or Spyware on your computer, the latter of which tracks every keystroke, contact experts in these areas to have these stalkers’ aids removed.

Most definitely, do not try to contact your stalker. And trust your instincts.

Remember: Stalking is a crime. Call the police if you want to report it.

Staff at Middle Way House can also help. We provide information, insights and assistance. Middle Way also offers free legal advocacy, including help filing a protective order. Start by calling our crisis line, listed below.

You are not to blame for a stalker’s erratic behavior. We’re here to help.

Call our crisis line at (812) 336-0846.

­— Courtney Stiehl,
Middle Way House intern