3 More Things to Do If You’re Being Stalked
Previously we discussed some things that you could do to keep your contact information private in the event that you were being stalked. Being stalked is scary, there’s no doubt about it. It’s absolutely critical that you take steps to keep yourself safe. So what else should you do if you’re being stalked?Initial Steps
If you’re being stalked, it’s important to take action immediately. The first thing you should do is tell the person you don’t want them to contact you anymore in any way. If contact continues, don’t confront, engage, or respond to them anymore. Call the police and make a report. Find out what it takes to get a restraining order. You may need to get started on that. Let your friends and family know you’re being stalked and tell them to keep your information private. They should never share it without your express permission.Keeping Records
You’ll need proof and records in order to establish your case. In this instance, there isn’t really any such thing as having too much information. Record every attempted contact and stalking-related behavior. This will help the proper authorities create a case against the stalker. Keep in mind that in California it is illegal to record a conversation without the consent of everyone involved in the conversation. That doesn’t mean that you can’t record a copy of any messages you’re left though. You just can’t record a phone call you receive from them in which you engage them in conversation without their permission (which you shouldn’t be doing anyway).Protective Measures
It’s important to take measures to protect yourself. There are ways to keep your contact information private that were discussed in a previous article. Being stalked can take a toll on your mental state. Seeing a professional counselor or joining a support group can help you work through feelings of fear and anxiety. Pursuing a restraining order can legally compel your stalker to stay away from you. Have a reserve of resources like money, extra keys, credit cards, medications, and important papers set aside in a safe place that you can access quickly and easily if you need to leave with short notice. Have a cell phone on you at all times, avoid being predictable in your routes to places, have a plan for where to go in an emergency, and carry pepper spray with you. Being stalked can be terrifying. There are things you can do to keep yourself safer though. Keep in mind that not every option is a good one in every single situation. Carefully consider your circumstances and weigh your options against them so you can choose the ones that are most likely to be the most beneficial to you. Did you miss our earlier article on keeping your contact information private? Check it out here.Bradley Corbett
Bradley Corbett is a criminal defense attorney in San Diego. He graduated from Brigham Young University in Provo Utah in 2004. Later he enrolled at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego where he participated in a prestigious internship program with the Los Angeles County Public Defender. Since then he has handled over 2,000 cases.