Am I Being Stalked? Precautions to Take in a Stalking Case
By Ayla O’Shea, Striker Pierce LLC.
Earlier this October, it was reported by the Fairfax Police Department that a young girl had been approached twice by a suspicious man while waiting on her ride to school on two different occasions. During the second instance, the girl had claimed that the man had approached her while holding an “unknown object” and after throwing a lawn chair in the man’s general direction, ran back to her home as the man fled on foot away from the scene.
According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, 6.6 million people are stalked annually in the United States alone. Furthermore, of these cases about 1 in 5 female and 1 in 14 male victims claimed to be stalked between the ages of 11 and 17. From these statistics, we can understand that talking is not a rarity, but instead an epidemic. However, stalking is not defined solely through the stereotypes that we often associate with this crime, but can also take on other forms such as cyberstalking and nonviolent stalking, this however does not undermine the severity of the situation.
Statistics regarding Stalking
Cyberstalking Precautions
Individuals ages 18 to 24 are the most at risk to become victims of stalking and are correspondingly the most active users of social media, heightening their exposure and risk. Stalking in the new age has become even more prevalent than in earlier years, this highly due to the use of social media, tagging features, and location finding services that are easily accessible by predators through the internet. However, if you feel as though you or someone you know are at risk of stalking, there are steps you can take in order to strengthen your security, both online and in person, and protect yourself from such instances.
When posting statuses online, make sure you do not frequently update or post your current location which can reveal your weekly patterns of traveling and indicate clues to your residence, thus allowing predators to easily track your movements and day-to-day schedule. If posting pictures, perhaps in front of your home or in the area surrounding it, make sure to “blur out” any indicators of your residence, such as an address number or the name of your apartment complex if you live in one. To even further ensure privacy, you can turn off location services on your social media profiles, turn on your privacy settings so that only those you allow can see your content, and be conservative about who you allow to see your posts.
What do I do if I Think I’m Being Stalked?
If you do happen to “run into” a specific individual whom you feel may be potentially stalking you or someone you know, it is proactive to keep a log if you feel suspicious- better to be safe than sorry. Record instances- dates, times, and locations- of when you see the individual that can later be used when/if filing a police report, discreetly taking pictures will also validate your case.
Perhaps one of the most important parts of maintain your household’s safety however is educating your children on what to do if they ever feel as if they are in a stalking situation. Ensure that they are comfortable with being open about the situation if it were to occur, and form a safety plan that relays the correct steps to take when being put into a situation such as potential stalking. Not only will this help your child feel safer and more comfortable, but reassure you, as a parent, as well.
However “menial” your situation may seem, you should never feel afraid to seek professional help. Instances of stalking happen to 14 out of every 1000 persons every year in the United States- you are not alone and there are steps that can be taken to heighten your security and safety. If you feel that you or a loved one is a victim of stalking, it is important to first and foremost file a police report. However, if you have any other questions or concerns regarding your situation and would like to explore other personalized options feel free to contact us at (571)-451-4833 or info@strikerpierce.com. Our Case Specialists can help you customize your investigation to meet your needs and work within your budget and ours to ensure your privacy and assist in the creating a safer environment for you and your family
Ayla O’Shea is a student at San Diego State University and the Social Issues Analyst at Striker Pierce LLC.