Stalking is a terrifying experience that involves persistent harassment or threatening behavior, such as lurking around your home or workplace, leaving threatening notes, or sending menacing messages via phone, email, or social media.
Whether the perpetrator is an ex-boyfriend, ex-husband, acquaintance, or a stranger, being stalked can turn your life into a constant state of fear and anxiety.
Stalking is a serious crime that many people face at some point in their lives. Due to its severe impact on mental and physical health, it’s crucial to know how to handle stalkers effectively. While staying vigilant is crucial, everyone deserves a sanctuary where they feel secure.
If you’re one of the many women facing stalking or harassment, this article provides essential home security and safety tips to help protect you and restore your peace of mind.
Safety Tips for Women Facing Stalking or Harassment
If you suspect someone is stalking you, here are some practical safety planning tips to incorporate into your daily routine:
1. Limit Communication with Abuser
Sometimes, cutting off all communication with an abuser can be dangerous. However, if it’s safe, stop all contact and communication with the person stalking or harassing you. If it’s not safe to cease all communication, try to limit interactions as much as possible.
2. Go to a Safe Location
Always have a safe place in mind to go to in case of an emergency. If someone is following you, avoid going home. Head to the nearest police station, fire station, a friend’s house, a public place, or a shelter. Familiarize yourself with these locations in your community and plan how to reach them quickly.
3. Always Carry a Cell Phone
Always carry a cell phone with you and keep emergency phone numbers handy or memorize them. If you ever feel you are in immediate danger, call 911. You know your situation better than anyone, so trust your instincts and call for help if you feel threatened.
4. Inform Others
Many stalking victims hesitate to share their experiences, but it’s crucial to inform those around you about what you’re going through. This includes family, friends, roommates, work colleagues, and even neighbors. Their awareness can provide additional support and safety.
5. Avoid Traveling Alone
Try not to travel alone. If you exercise by running or walking, consider getting an exercise buddy. Always vary your routes to and from work, school, the grocery store, and other regularly visited places.
Changing your daily routes can make it harder for someone to learn your routine. However, be aware that a stalker may use a GPS monitoring device on your car or cell phone, so stay vigilant.
6. Improve Home Security
Enhance your home security by changing your locks and installing deadbolts, window locks, and manhole locks. Add sensor lights that are out of easy reach to deter intruders. Keep flashlights in easily accessible places around your home for emergencies.
7. Protect Personal Information
Only share personal details with trusted individuals. Consider getting a post office box or at least a lock for your letterbox. Shred all paperwork before discarding it. Avoid giving out personal information online to protect your privacy.
8. Collect Evidence
Gathering proof is essential for building a case against the stalker. Keep all evidence and document every encounter and experience meticulously. Be sure to keep any evidence of the stalking, such as voicemails, texts, and emails, for future court cases or criminal actions. This can greatly strengthen your case and help protect you.
9. Obtain a Restraining Order
Securing a restraining order is a crucial step in ensuring your safety. This court-issued protective order makes it illegal for the stalker to contact you or come within a certain distance of you and your home.
While a restraining order is necessary, it’s important to remember that it does not guarantee your stalker’s compliance, as following the order is ultimately up to the perpetrator.
10. Create a Safety Plan
Even if you’re not living with the person stalking you, creating a safety plan can help you prepare for various scenarios and strategize ways to stay safe. Developing a safety plan can empower you and give you a sense of control over your situation.
11. Park in Well-Lit Areas
If you have a car, always park in a well-lit area. At work or school, ask a security guard to walk you to your car. If you’re taking public transportation nearby, see if the security guard can escort you to the nearest bus, subway, or train station for added safety.
12. Consider Taking a Self-Defense Class
While the best defense is to keep a distance between you and the stalker, it’s crucial to know how to protect yourself if they catch you by surprise or if there’s no way out. Taking a self-defense class can equip you with the skills to defend yourself and help you feel more empowered and confident.
Conclusion
Being stalked or harassed is a terrifying experience that no one should have to endure. Whether the stalker is an intimate partner or a stranger, taking steps to protect yourself is crucial. Document all incidents, including unwanted phone calls and gifts, and file a police report with local law enforcement.
Creating a safety plan and improving home security can provide a sense of control and safety. If you feel threatened, do not hesitate to contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline for support and resources.
Remember, stalking is a serious crime that can significantly impact your well-being. Reach out to the Stalking Resource Center for additional guidance. A reasonable person would take these precautions to ensure their safety. Your actions can help protect you and bring the perpetrator to justice.
