What is Stalking?
While stalking is not technically ‘abuse’, it is similar to forms of abuse as it is about power and control. Stalking is a pattern of repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, contact, or any other course of conduct that is directed at a specific person that causes the individual to feel fear. Stalking is considered criminal harassment if it causes the person to fear for their safety or the safety of others (Canadian Criminal Code, section 264.1). Criminal harassment, also known as stalking, is a crime.
Stalking behaviours can take many different forms, including:
- Physically - stalking typically takes place physically, where an individual may experience behaviours such as:
- Being repeatedly followed to different places
- Being watched where they live or work
- Repeatedly being communicated with or sent gifts after being asked to stop
- Repeated physical or visual closeness, such as having someone wait for you to arrive at a particular location, or being watched from a distance
- Digitally - people can use stalking behaviours through the use of technology through behaviours such as:
- Being persistently sent unwanted communication through the internet
- Having software tracking systems monitor ones location without their knowledge or consent
- Being the subject of video-voyeurism or having video cameras installed that give a stalker access to one’s personal life
- Having threats or personal information posted on social media or other public internet sites
There are many different aspects of stalking that can contribute to why an individual may not seek help, or wait a longer period of time before reaching out for help and advice. Some of these may include:
- Not understanding that what is happening is stalking and/or illegal
- Trying to pretend that it is not happening
- Believing that they should be able to deal with the situation on their own
- Fear that other will think they ar rover-racting or not believe them
- Previous requests for help or advice being ignored
- Fears about how the stalker will respond to either them, or those that they care for
- Fear of the situation becoming more difficult
- Limited options in respect to changing their situation
- Try avoiding the person stalking you
- Make it clear that the contact is unwanted
- Inform friends, family, supervisors, and co-workers of the situation
- Consider reporting the stalking to local law enforcement
- Keep an accurate journal or log of all incidents connected to the stalking
What is the Impact?
The impact of stalking may vary according to the victim's characteristics, past experience, current circumstances, and what they know, or don't know, about the stalker. How others respond to the victim's situation, including how the stalking is managed by authorities, can influence the overall effect that the stalking episode has on the victim. Despite the complexities that may vary an individual's experience and reaction to being stalked, research has demonstrated common patterns of response. Although female victims usually report greater levels of fear, studies have found that males subjected to stalking experience similar symptoms to those reported by their female counterparts.
Although not exhaustive, the following are some of the more common effects that victims of stalking experience:
- Questioning if what is happening is unreasonable, or wondering if they are overreacting
- Fear of being alone or that they may be harmed
- Anxiety, panic attacks, and being frightened to leave the house
- Guilt, embarrassment, or self-blame
- Personality changes due to becoming more suspicious
- Emotional numbing
- Suicidal thoughts and/or attempts
- Fatigue from difficulty sleeping and being constantly on guard
- Fluctuations in weight due to not eating or comfort eating
- Impact on health due to increased use of alcohol, cigarettes, or other substances
- Effects of chronic stress such as headaches, hypertension, or gastrointestinal problems
- Development or exacerbation of pre-existing conditions (e.g. asthma, gastric ulcers and psoriasis).
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Physical injury due to not concentrating or being under the influence of substances
- Heart palpitations and sweating
- Deteriorating work or school performance
- Increased sick leave from work
- Leaving job
- Insecurity or inability to trust others impacting current and future relationships
- Isolation through trying to protect others
- Avoidance of usual activities such as going to the gym or going out
- Moving to a new area, changing phone number, name, or appearance
- Loss of wages due to sick leave, leaving job or changing career.
- Costs incurred through legal fees.
- Expense of increasing home and personal security.
- Cost involved in repairing property damage.
- Seeking psychological counselling and medical treatment.
- Cost involved in breaking leases on rented properties.
- Expense of relocation.
- Deteriorating school/work performance
- Increased sick leave
- Leaving job or being sacked
- Changing career
- Dropping out of school, poorer education and career opportunities