Stalking Stalkers How to Deal with a Stalker
Even when you do everything right, you can still end up with a stalker. You know; that guy that follows you everywhere, watches your house, sends you presents, calls you constantly no matter how often you change your phone number and even manages to get inside your home when you’re not there. It’s a very frightening situation to be in and one that way too many women have found themselves in the middle of. Only in recent years have there been laws implemented to deal with stalker situations. In the past, there was nothing that could be done legally until someone was hurt or killed.
It’s unfair to blame the increase in stalking victims on such things as the internet and online dating sites. Stalking was around even before people had computers in their homes. Men that stalk women do so for varying reasons, which makes it difficult to nail down signs that will warn women ahead of time. Many times, women that are stalking victims don’t know their stalkers at all.
Victims are chosen in various ways. Stalkers may lock onto their victims through work, or even just through passing them at a shopping mall. It may be a certain look that draws them or it might be someone that a woman actually went on a date with. Friendly women can pick up a stalker through something as simple as a chance verbal exchange while waiting at the checkout line of a supermarket or in line at the bank. That’s what makes it so difficult for women to protect themselves from being snagged as a stalking victim. There’s just no sure way to know who has the potential for stalking and who doesn’t.
There are a few things that you can do to protect yourself. First of all, do be very careful about any strange men you date. It’s always better to have at least a couple of people you trust recommend someone to you for dating, but that’s just not always possible. Rely on your own instincts. While there are many men that are perfect in hiding their stalking tendencies, there are just as many that will send out discreet warning signals. These would include such things as he’s always turning up unexpectedly where you are, asks you constant questions about the people in your life, particularly males, and seems to get angry or pouty when you can’t go out with him. Granted, these aren’t always stalker signals, but you probably don’t want to get involved with someone like that, anyway.
Once you start to receive strange gifts, constant phone calls and even start seeing a man watching your house from across the street, don’t try to handle it yourself. Call the police immediately and get them involved. Many states now have officers that specialize in stalking situations and they’ll have advice to offer you as to what you need to do. While a restraining order may not be worth the paper it’s written on as far as keeping your stalker away from you, it’s good to still have one on file. In that way, you can call the police when he’s violating it.
The best thing you can do is follow the advice of the police when they’re professional and caring about your situation. However, there may be instances where all you can do is to change your identity and move; unless you’re brave enough to buy a gun and learn how shoot it.