How to Deal With a Stalker

One of the scariest situations to be in is being the victim of a stalker, whether the stalking is physical, electronic or otherwise. The following steps are intended to educate as well as help people deal with this problem and regain control of their lives.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Answering Machines
• Internet Access
• Dogs
• Self-defense Courses
• Paper Shredders
• Gas Caps
• Cellular Phones

1. Seek help. This is a very serious matter. Avoid denying the problem or keeping it to yourself.
2. Remove yourself from the stalker's reach. This should be your first priority. Cut off all communication with the stalker. Avoid responding.
3. Get a new phone number and make sure it's unlisted. Keep the old phone number; leave that particular phone hooked up to an answering machine.
4. Block your address at the department of motor vehicles and voter registration office. These are steps to cut off contact with the stalker.
5. Have your mail delivered to a private post office box. Avoid accepting a package unless you ordered it or expected it. Shred discarded papers and mail.
6. Consider getting a dog if you don't already have one.
7. Get a cellular phone and keep it with you at all times, even inside your home.
8. Document everything. Keep answering machine tapes, letters, gifts and logs of suspicious happenings.
9. Make several left- or right-hand turns in succession if you think you're being followed while in your car. If the other car continues to follow you, drive to the nearest police station - never home or to a friend's house. Sound your car horn to attract attention.
10. Consult the local police if you receive a threat. Do not hesitate.
11. Get emotional support from the numerous Internet resources and from family and friends, neighbors, co-workers and victim support groups. Take care of yourself as best you can.

Tips & Warnings

• Let someone down easy instead of giving a definitive "no." Using a nice rebuff on an obsessive suitor might help ward off a problem.
• Take a self-defense class and learn security awareness.
• Use a locking gas cap on your car.
• Never give out personal details to someone online.
• Choose a genderless name if you use online chat areas.
• Seeking a restraining or protective order is often not advisable. This frequently provokes a stalker to react violently.
• If you have any hesitations or suspicions, do not arrange to see anybody you've met online.