January is National Stalking Awareness Month

Awareness of stalking is not so pleasant, but all the same, it is very important to learn how to avoid becoming a victim.

Stalkers usually come from some sort of depraved background. They may grow up to be involved in drugs, or alcoholism. Yet, despite altered states of consciousness, these predators are usually quite intelligent. They can maintain their invasive regimen without the benefit of sobriety.

A stalker doesn't need to be someone you know. They may have spotted you in a crowd, and randomly picked you for a victim. Nobody knows the workings of their twisted minds, because it's so difficult to catch them in their game. Otherwise, more studies may have been conducted to understand their behavior.

Actually, "stranger stalking" comprises the majority of these types of incidents.

In daily life, most of us don't assume that someone may be out to get us. Consequently, we may never check the rear view mirror. We may not see who is checking us out at the mall, or in a crowd. It's probably a good idea to have, at least, this much awareness of your surroundings when out in public, though.

Look around in the parking lot before walking to car. Check the rearview mirror on the way home.

Listening to your intuition is helpful. Your inner voice has a way of conveying warnings. It doesn't necessarily shout at you. It may be a quiet voice, but it's usually pretty reliable. So, take a look around every now and then, see if someone is lurking nearby and causes a bleep in your radar.

Telling the police about someone like this may not be of much help. Stalkers are control freaks that want to control you by making you uncomfortable, or scared. They are conscienceless predators who may appear to be charming, at first. Once angered, they escalate their clandestine activities.

The most consistent advice recommended throughout the material addressing stalker characteristics, is to let the person know that there is no chance for a relationship. Explain this once, and then speak no more.

When in a relationship, and you've suddenly discovered the person is too controlling, be gentle. Let them down slowly. Control is the name of the stalking game, and this is what could happen if a break is made.

Once angered, he or she can escalate their terrifying activities. They may never try to do physical harm, but they take sadistic delight in mental intimidation.

Unfortunately, there are few people who understand the true motives of stalkers.

Many relate stalking to someone having a crush or fascination that causes one to engage in following a victim. It's thought of as an innocent expression of infatuation. This is tantamount to considering rape to be related to sexual relations.

So perhaps this is why we need a National Stalker Awareness month to remind us that they are out there, unstable, and with a great capacity for cruelty and guile.