Never Let Your Guard Down

You may find yourself the victim of a reckless and relentless stalker / harasser.  Unfortunately, in today's world of couch-bound cyberstalkers/cyberharassers - it's all too easy for them to sit comfortably behind a glowing screen and devise new and unique ways to inject themselves into your life.  They can harass you and intimidate you from afar.  Be aware of your presence on the web, especially if they have reason to use more incognito or oblique means: Even if they've been identified by law enforcement, were found liable in a civil proceeding, or otherwise agreed to cease and desist in any other way.

When searching the web, it's always a good idea to do so with different combinations of your name, your significant other's name, and possibly your family members.  You should do this on a regular basis until you are reasonably sure you are safe and the perpetrator is either behind bars or at the very least has a judgement against them in your favor.  We don't suggest living your life searching, but set aside a time once a week or once a month to spend an hour or two looking around.  The more technologically savvy your perpetrator is, the easier it will be for them to come at you at unforeseen angles.

Don't live your life in a relentless pursuit of keeping your name clean, but don't turn a blind eye.  Just check on occasion; the information you may glean could prove more damning than anything uncovered previously.  It's just a good practice.

Physical security is a must (of course)!  Cameras with recording capabilities can be installed in home for only a couple hundred dollars.  Depending on your location, you may have to get creative.  In a single family dwelling, you can install them yourself.  They're pretty straightforward, and with today's technology you can monitor your home from your couch, or even while you are away.  Living in multifamily dwellings is a bit trickier.  You can install cameras to monitor through windows, but those with infrared will reflect back at the camera when darkness triggers it.  You may have to get inventive, but the peace of mind is worth it if you can rig something up.

Try and have someone with you when you are out and about.  That's not always feasible of course, but you can arm yourself with various non-lethal ways of rebuffing an attack.  Concealed weapon and even open carry laws exist, and if you feel that threatened - by all means protect yourself.  But, do you and everyone around you a favor and get proper training should you choose this route.  There are many alternatives to firearms, think outside the box!

Victims of Crimes: Stalking Resource Center