Overview
Several murders of
stalking victims have highlighted the fact that people who stalk can be very
dangerous. Stalkers can threaten,
attack, sexually assault and even kill their victims. Unfortunately, there is
no single psychological or behavioral profile that can predict what stalkers
will do. Stalkers' behaviors can
escalate, from more indirect ways of making contact (e.g. sending email or
repeated phone calling) to more personal ways (delivering things to the
victim's doorstep or showing up at their work).
Many victims
struggle with how to respond to the stalker.
Some victims try to reason with the stalker, try to "let them down
easy" or "be nice" in hopes of getting the stalker to stop the behavior. Some victims tell themselves that the
behavior "isn't that bad" or other sentiments that minimize the stalking
behavior. Other victims may
confront or threaten the stalker and/or try to "fight back." These methods rarely work because
stalkers are actually encouraged by any contact with the victim, even negative
interactions.
Victims of
stalking can not predict what stalkers will do but can determine their own
responses to the stalking behavior.
Personal safety and harm prevention is of the utmost importance for
victims. While victims cannot
control the stalking behavior, they can be empowered to take steps to keep
themselves, family and loved ones safe.
The creation of a safety plan can assist victims in doing this.
Stalking Safety Plan –
What is it?
A safety plan is a
combination of suggestions, plans, and responses created to help victims
reduce their risk of harm. It is a tool
designed in response to the victim's specific situation that evaluates what
the victim is currently experiencing, incorporates the pattern of previous
behavior, and examines options that will positively impact the victim's
safety. In a safety plan, the factors that
are causing or contributing to the risk of harm to the victim and her/his
loved ones are identified and interventions are developed.
Advocates and Stalking
Safety Planning
While victims can
make safety plans on their own, it is often helpful to enlist the assistance
of trained professionals. These professionals, including advocates and law
enforcement officers, can help a victim determine which options will best
enhance their safety and will work to devise a safety plan to address each
unique situation and circumstance.
Victim advocates can be found in local domestic violence and rape
crisis programs, as well as in victim assistance programs in local
prosecutors' offices and in some law enforcement agencies. If you do not know how to find an advocate,
contact the National Center for Victims of Crime for free and confidential
services at 1-800-FYI-CALL or gethelp@ncvc.org.
Stalking Safety Plans –
What to Include
When safety
planning, victims can consider what is known about the stalker, the people who
might help, how to improve safety in one's environment, and what to do in case
of an emergency. The average stalking
case lasts approximately two years, therefore safety planning must begin when
the victim first identifies the stalking behavior and continue throughout the
duration of the case. Safety plans need
to be re-evaluated and updated continuously as the stalker's behavior, the
victim's routines, and access to services and support changes.
Below are
suggestions to consider when developing a stalking safety plan. This is not an exhaustive list. In a safety plan, any recommended strategy
must focus on what the victim feels will work in her best interest at any
given point in time.
Documentation of
Stalking and Reporting to Police
Victims are
encouraged to keep a log of all stalking behaviors including e-mails and phone
messages. The log, as well as any gifts
or letters the stalker sends the victim, can be collected and used as
evidence. The evidence will help prove
what has been going on if the victim decides to report the stalking to the
police or apply for a protective order.
Sample Stalking
Log.
Rely on Trusted
People
Many victims have
found simple ways to make the stalking affect them less. They may ask someone else to pick up and
sort their mail, get a second phone number given only to trusted people, or
have people at work or school screen phone calls or inform the police if the
stalker shows up. Relying on trusted
friends and family is important for victims of stalking to help keep victims
safer and also reduce the isolation and feelings of desperation that stalking
victims may experience.
Technology Safety
Planning
Stalkers use
technology to assist them in stalking their victims in various ways. It is important to consider how victims may
be harmed by stalkers' use of technology. Stalkers use the
Internet to contact or post things about the victim on message board or
discussion forums. They may also
verbally attack or threaten victims in chat rooms. Some stalkers will post threatening or
personal information about the victim – including the victim's full name and
address. Often stalkers will e-mail the
victim, or fill their in-box with spam and have been known to send viruses or
other harmful programs to victims' computers. These threatening messages should be
saved, especially if the victim is considering contacting the police with the
case.
If stalkers
have access to a victim's computer, they can track them by looking at the
history or websites visited on the computer. Also, stalkers have been known to
install Spyware software on computers (sometimes sent through e-mail) that
sends them a copy of every keystroke made, including passwords, Web sites
visited, and e-mails sent.
Spyware is very difficult to detect and a victim will likely not know
she has it on her computer. If a victim
believes s/he has a Spyware program on her/his computer, it is important the
victim talk to a trained advocate.
Stalkers use
cell phones enabled with Global Positioning System (GPS) to track victims.
GPS technology can also be used to track or follow victims
by placing them in the victim's car and will be able to tell everywhere the
car travels. When safety planning with
a victim about technology issues, ask a victim if her stalker has ever had
access to her phone or computer. If so,
it may be important to stop using the phone or computer, or only use it in a
manner that will not give the stalker any information about the victim's
location.
It is also
important for victims of stalking to remain diligent about protecting their
personal information that could be saved in databases. Businesses, for example, collect personal
information about people, including addresses, phone numbers, last names,
etc. This information can
sometimes be accessed and exploited by stalkers. One stalking victim's ex-boyfriend learned
of her new address by "innocently" inquiring at the local oil change station
if she had recently brought in their car for an oil change. Because that business had her information
stored, they gave the stalker the address the victim had wanted to keep
unknown to the stalker. Victims are
encouraged to consider who might have their personal information. They should instruct businesses to not give
out any personal information. In many
instances, victims can ask that their account be password protected. This password should be one only known
to the victim and no information should be released or discussed until the
password has been verified.
Although no safety
plan guarantees safety, such plans are valuable and important tools to keep
victims safer, document incidents that happen with the perpetrator, make
surroundings more secure, and identify people who can help. For more information about safety planning,
please visit the SRC website at www.ncvc.org/src or call
1-800-FYI-CALL.
Stalking Safety
Tips
Safety
Anytime:
- If possible, have a phone nearby at all times, preferably one to
which the stalker has never had access. Memorize emergency numbers, and make
sure that 911 and helpful family or friends are on speed
dial.
- Treat all threats, direct and indirect, as legitimate and inform law
enforcement immediately.
- Vary routines, including changing routes to work, school, the grocery
store, and other places regularly frequented. Limit time spent alone and try to shop at
different stores and visit different bank branches.
- When out of the house or work environment, try not to travel alone
and try to stay in public areas.
- Get a new, unlisted phone number. Leave the old number active and
connected to an answering machine or voicemail. Have a friend, advocate, or law
enforcement screen the calls, and save any messages from the stalker. These messages, particularly those
that are explicitly abusive or threatening, can be critical evidence for law
enforcement to build a stalking case against the offender.
- Do not interact with the person stalking or harassing you. Responding to stalker's actions may
reinforce their behavior.
- Consider obtaining a protective order against the stalker. Some states offer stalking
protective orders and other victims may be eligible for protective orders
under their state's domestic violence statutes.
- Trust your instincts. If
you're somewhere that doesn't feel safe, either find ways to make it safer,
or leave.
If in
imminent danger, locate a safe place.
Consider going to:
- Police Station
- Residences of family or friends (locations unknown to the
perpetrators)
- Domestic violence shelters
- Place of worship
- Public areas (some stalkers may be less inclined toward violence or
creating a disturbance in public places).
Safety at
home:
- Identify escape routes out of your house. Teach them to your
children.
- Install solid core doors with dead bolts. If all keys cannot be
accounted for, change the locks and secure the spare keys. Fix any broken windows or
doors.
- Have a code word you use with your children that tells them when they
need to leave.
- Inform neighbors and, if residing in an apartment, any on-site
managers about the situation, providing them with a photo or description of
the stalker and any vehicles they may drive if known. Ask your neighbors to call the police if
they see the stalker at your house.
Agree on a signal you will use when you need them to call the
police.
- Pack a bag with important items you'd need if you had to leave
quickly. Put the bag in a safe place,
or give it to a friend or relative you trust.
- Consider putting together a "stalking sack" that includes the
stalking log, a camera, information about the offender, etc. More information on Stalking Sacks.
Safety at
work and school:
- Give a picture of the stalker to security and friends at work and
school.
- Tell your supervisors. They
have a responsibility to keep you safe at work.
- Ask a security guard to walk you to your car or to the
bus.
- If the stalker contacts you, save any voicemails, text messages, and
e-mails.
- Give the school or daycare center a copy of your protective
order. Tell them not to release
your children to anyone without talking to you first.
- Make sure your children know to tell a teacher or administrator at
school if they see the stalker.
- Make sure that the school and work know not to give your address or
phone number to anyone.
- Keep a copy of your protective order at work.
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Copyright © 2009 by the National
Center for Victims of Crime. This information may be freely distributed,
provided that it is distributed free of charge, in its entirety and includes
this copyright notice.