How to Deal with a Stalker

Stalking is a crime that many never experience first hand. To those who do, however, it is a bone chilling, life altering experience. Imagine being followed wherever you go. Imagine going to work and having to worry about your stalker interfering with your job or trying to get you fired. Imagine having to watch your back every time you walk to your car or go to the grocery store. Imagine always fearing that the person may be tampering with your car. You know the person is unstable, and because of that you have no idea what that person will do in a personal confrontation. You want to run and hide, but you can't because you have a life to live and a job to do.

The very worst thing you can do is nothing. A person who is resulting to stalking behaviors is a person who is very unstable and prone to impulsive behaviors.

Janet knew she was in trouble when her ex-husband began harassing her on the phone. He began making threats and calling her names. He threatened to have her fired from her job and even threatened to kill her. He showed up at her job more than once, leaving cards and flowers in her car. Other times he went so far as to slip cards underneath the business office door during hours when the office was closed.

Janet was hesitant in taking action. One day she went out to her car and found that he had slashed all of her tires. He also began threatening her family and friends, going so far as to threaten his own children in an attempts to get her to come back to him. It was then that Janet began to take his threats seriously, taking measures to protect herself. Janet called the police and got a restraining order against him. She also received some valuable information as to what her rights were in the situation.

If you are in a situation where you are being stalked, please take it very seriously. Janet was fortunate that the only thing her stalker slashed was her tires. Had she not taken action, the next time it might have been her throat that he slashed. If in doubt as to what action to take in your particular situation, contact your local police department and tell them your situation. They can offer you guidance as to the best course of action to take.