STALKING

WHAT EVERY PERSON NEEDS TO KNOW AND DO.

 

WHAT IS STALKING?

 

Stalking includes any attempt by one person to repeatedly harass, follow, watch, communicate, threaten or otherwise contact another person against their will.

 

Often these behaviours are directed not only toward the victim, but also toward her/his family and friends.

 

Stalking is against the law in Canada and there is a jail term of up to five years if convicted. It is very difficult in some circumstances to prove stalking has taken place, as there must be evidence that the stalker knowingly harassed the victim, causing the victim to fear for their or others’ safety.

 

WHAT IS STALKING BEHAVIOUR?

 

Stalking may take the form of:

• annoying, threatening or obscene telephone calls or letters
• following or watching a victim, and/or their family and friends
• talking to the victim's friends, relatives and/or co-workers in order to learn more about him/her
• hounding the victim with unwanted gifts and visits
• vandalism and theft of a victim's property
• threats (verbal or non-verbal).

The stalking behaviour may escalate from pursuit behaviour to physical assaults, rape and sometimes - even murder.

 

All of these actions, separately and in combination, are used to obtain control over the victim's life, actions and movements.

 

STATISTICS

• Between 1974 & 1990, 78% of the 551 women killed in Canada were victims of estranged husbands or boyfriends.
• It is estimated that there are approximately 200,000 victims of stalking each year in both Canada and the United States.
• Statistics on stalking are limited. Mainly because the cases wind up being classified as the crime they usually escalate to - assault and even homicide.
• Men are sometimes targets, but women are stalked much more frequently.
• 80-90% of stalking cases are extensions of domestic violence.
• Relationship stalkers use behaviours which are more life threatening to their victims.
• 90% of women who were killed by their ex-partners in 1991 were stalked prior to being murdered.
• A statistically small number of stalking victims are celebrities.

 

EFFECTS OF STALKING ON VICTIMS

 

The high degree of unpredictability of this crime often has an overwhelming impact on victims. As each individual stalking case is different, so is the degree to which each person is affected.

• Many victims experience similar feelings: shame, guilt, and/or self-blame, anger, fear.
• This experience can also take its toll physically: sleeplessness and/or nightmares, depression, anxiety attacks and other stress-related disorders, headaches and stomach problems.
• Many victims find themselves isolated.
• All stalking victims find their lives disrupted.

 

PROTECTIVE MEASURES A VICTIM CAN TAKE

 

1) Document everything.

Save all evidence; copies of letters, ‘gifts’, messages on phone and document (date, time and location) all contacts made or attempted by the stalker. Keep this in a bindable journal and keep a copy of your documentation in a safe place, as stalkers have been known to steal evidence against them.

 

REMEMBER: Even though a single incident alone may not be serious, the documentation will show a pattern of behaviour that may legally help you later on.

 

2) Notify the police as soon as possible.

-Notify law enforcement of each incident even if you believe the incident is not illegal.

-Discuss the legal options available to you with the police &/or a lawyer.

-Talk to the police about home security. They can offer information and provide a free home security check.

 

3) Have your attorney send a registered letter.

The letter will inform the stalker that he/she must stop the behaviour immediately.

 

4) Inform others about your situation.

-Inform all your friends, neighbours, co-workers, family and security staff where you live and work. The moment the stalker shows up at your work place or a social setting is not the time to explain the situation.

-Give a description or photograph of the stalker to anyone who might see him/her.

 

5) Consider purchasing or renting a surveillance camera or some type of security system.

-A camera can be strategically placed in or around your home or apartment to film the areas around your doors where stalkers are likely to leave ‘gifts’ or letters. A filmed record of such activities will help with legal action.

-A home security system does not have to be costly and elaborate to be effective.

 

6) Consider carrying a personal alarm, air horn or whistle.

-Carry these in your hand or clip to your clothes rather than in your purse.

 

7) Consider purchasing or borrowing a cellular phone.

 

8) Use SaskTel's telephone options in the phonebook: Call Trace (*57) or Call Reject.

Call Trace will record the number of the caller at the SaskTel office (only the police can obtain this information). This will provide evidence that can be used if charges are laid. Call trace is always on your line and is provided at no charge. Call Reject will reject any incoming calls from the numbers you program it to do so.

 

9) Try not to go anywhere alone.

If you must go somewhere alone, always let someone know where you are going and when you are expected home.

 

10) Do not isolate yourself.

-Talk to your friends and family.

-Consider counselling to discuss your situation. A counsellor can assist in developing a safety plan and be a support and advocate for you with police or the legal system.

 

11) There are certain behaviours that should be avoided:

-Ignoring your intuition and warning signs

-Coming to a stalkers aid at any time (stalkers are known to fake a crisis in order to make you feel guilty and receive your attention)

-Trying to reason, clarify, meet or bargain with a stalker

-Treating threats, either in person, by phone or mail as insignificant

-Under-estimating the stalker or the potential for danger.

 

 

“The loss is more than just time out of your day to fight it. It’s your soul, it’s your privacy, it’s your being, it’s your emotions - everything is taken away from you. You are robbed of everything.”

‘Jodi’