The Warning Signs Of Stalking Behavior
One Love Foundation’s website lists statistics from the Stalking Resource Center that state approximately 7.5 million people are stalked each year in the United States. An estimated 15% of women and 6% of men have been a victim of stalking during their lifetimes, and of those, around 61% of female victims and 44% of male victims were stalked by a current or former intimate partner.
In A BLIND EYE (NineStar Press, April 2021), Babe doesn’t know he is the victim of stalking behaviors, but even when he finds out, he seems to be oblivious or to ignore them. Some of his friends even accuse him of encouraging the behavior.
What actions (if any) on Babe’s part do you see as encouraging of stalking behavior?
One Love Foundation lists four warning signs stalking behavior:
1. Contacting you Constantly
Calling multiple times a day may be confused with clinginess or interest, but don’t be fooled: constant contact may be an early sign of stalking. Stalkers feel the need to know what you’re doing at all times, and the easiest way for them to do that when they’re not around is to call and text incessantly. In this era of advanced technology, constant communication is all too easy to initiate, therefore it is all too easy to blow off as normal. However, this behavior often escalates into stalking.
2. Obtaining Details Before You Provided Them.
Browsing a new fling’s social media accounts is pretty typical, but if someone starts asking extremely specific questions about an Insta-post with your ex, that should raise an eyebrow. Again, technology makes online stalking extremely easy, and an in-depth study of your presence on the internet could lead to digital tracking in the future. Making sure your passwords aren’t obvious is always a good idea because hackers and stalkers alike will try to guess or steal them; making you vulnerable.
3. Monitoring you Excessively.
Asking about your day is normal; inquiring countless times a day about your location and company and digitally tracking you are not. What may at first appear as extreme curiosity is often a sign of extreme control. If you notice that someone is asking a few too many questions about your activity, who you’re hanging out with, when you might be free, seek help: especially if they start showing up uninvited.
4. Showing up Unannounced
The occasional surprise is sweet if you make it clear to your partner or friend that you don’t mind or like it, but unannounced (and undesired) appearances are the brightest red flag of stalking. (WatchIntensity from our Behind the Post campaign to see a great example of what we mean). If you tell someone that you have plans to meet up with friends after work and he or she is waiting outside as soon as you’re finished, don’t blow it off as affectionate: this type of behavior can become extremely dangerous. Likewise, if you start receiving unwanted, unnecessary, and even inappropriate gifts, you may want to reassess your relationship.
How many of these indicators are seen in A BLIND EYE? Are they seen in more than one person?
To buy a copy of A BLIND EYE, click the buy button or inquire at your favorite local bookshop.
For more information on relationships in general, or stalking behavior in specific, visit https://www.joinonelove.org/ for a plethora of excellent information. The above list was compiled by Hannah Anain of Writer’s Corps.
{This blog post has not been endorsed by any of the entities listed above}