Tip #19 – After Leaving an Abuser: Stalking Tips. Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Stalking and domestic violence go hand in hand, unfortunately.  Once you’ve left an abusive relationship, it’s not uncommon for the abuser to become a harasser, perhaps a violent harasser.   Be prepared for it particularly in the first few months after you’ve left the relationship.  Stalking is a terrifying situation that involves such behaviors as persistent phone calls, text messages or emails (both at home and on the job), receiving unwanted or gruesome gifts, physical and/or technological surveillance and other frightening invasions of your home and privacy.

There’s also cyberstalking.  Without your knowledge, your cell phone can be tracked by your abuser’s cell phone, your text messages and emails can be monitored, any social media sites you may be on can be traced or trashed. Tracking devices can be placed on your vehicle.  Your home or work computer can be hacked and your online activities monitored.

Unfortunately, if you’re in a stalking situation, you are going to have to change your normal day to day routines and your way of life radically.  This is extremely unfair, but it’s critical in order to ensure your safety.  Some resources:

• Stalking in America:  http://www.esia.net/safety_tips
• Stalking Behavior:  http://www.stalkingbehavior.com
• Stalking Information:  www.answers.com/topic/stalking
• Stalking Tips:  http://www.stopyourstalker.com/
• Privacy Rights Clearinghouse – stop harassing phone calls:  https://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs3-hrs2.htm
• AT&T Call Screening:  http://www.corp.att.com/smbcc/aio/aio_callscreen.html
• The 50 Best Safety and Security Blogs:  http://www.forensicsciencetechnician.org/the-50-best-safety-and-security-blogs/
• Cyberstalking and Domestic Violence:  http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbName=DocumentViewer&DocumentID=32458
• Cyberstalking and Harassment:  http://www.dvrcv.org.au/cyber-stalking-and-harassment

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  If you need immediate help, call National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TDD).  Crime Prevention 101