STALKING

Stalking is obsessional behaviour and should be taken seriously, whether it happens to oneself or one's family, friends, workmates or neighbours. Fortunately it is now taken much more seriously by both voluntary organisations, and also by Law in the US and UK.

Make notes of dates, times, circumstances, any changes or escalation in behaviour. Tell someone close to you and get advice from a good organisation. If a situation is reported to the Police, a note will be placed in their records.

Do not engage in conversation with a Stalker. There is no reasoning with people who are obsessed. They tend to take absolutely anything as encouragement!

It is important to realise that anyone at any age can be a target, because of the way they look, or maybe they just don't like to be unkind, or they are working in an isolated situation. People can build up fantasies that you will comply with what they need, and the going can get rough, even dangerous.


Things & People are not always How they Seem!

You may come across as though you would not stand up for yourself, and that you'd be inclined to help another person with directions etc.

Someone who appears concerned for your welfare, or gives you compliments and gifts, may quickly turn out to be controlling, and exhibit stalking behaviour. It can take much longer for it to show, and only become evident when you have committed yourself to the relationship.

The neighbours outlined in the rest of this Blog seem to be friendly and a bit laid-back. They do things that make it appear everything is part of normal things or behaviour, and no big deal. All I can tell you is they make a great show of being normal and jokey, in a huge attempt to conceal the gadgets, and the main aim.

I believe them to be thrill junkies, where anything goes as far as they are concerned.

It feels as though my neighbours, stalkers or whatever, have taken up space in my own living-space, and I do not know how far it can go. If I get it checked out and it does, I would want to take things further, and would be even more upset and incensed! So I try to ignore it like the proverbial elephant in the room.

As I understand the legal situation, one is entitled to tell someone they have a camera aimed at your window, and say you will report them to the Police if they continue, or to Crimestoppers (which can be done anonymously).

NCA, the National Crime Agency may get involved when someone hacks into other people's systems. A recent case hit the headlines where someone used cheap downloadable software to hack people's own webcams while they were engaged in private activity on Skype. 'Webcam hacker spied on sex acts' www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-34475151 I don't know if one can report that kind of activity anonymously, or if things can be investigated remotely.

Be careful about making allegations or voicing suspicions to anyone.

STALKING Books & Links

'Stalking & Psychosexual Obsession: Psychological Perspectives for Prevention, Policing & Treatment' edited by Julian Boon & Lorraine Sheridan
'Stalkers': Disturbing True-life Stories of Harassment, Jealousy & Obsession' by Polly Clarkson
'Violent Attachments' by J Reid Meloy
'Halting the Sexual Predators Among Us - Preventing attack, rape, and lust homicide' by Duane Dobbert
 

Factors in Violence - article and books for those who are sometimes violent

'Jailed Stalker Learns Fate':  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1530209.stm
'Grievous Bodily Harm by Stalking':  http://www.rjerrard.co.uk/law/cases/burstow.htm
Further article on Tracey Morgan's case:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/150718.stm
'Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: the invisible injury' details at http://www.successunlimited.co.uk/books/ptsdmain.htm
 

'The Sociopath Next Door' by Martha Stout
'Without Conscience - the Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among us' by Robert D Hare
'Erased - Missing Women, Murdered Wives' by Marilee Strong
'In Sheep's Clothing - Understanding and dealing with manipulative people' by George K Simon

Diane Wetendorf Abuse of Power site www.abuseofpower.info
Officer-Involved Domestic Violence Network www.policedomesticviolence.com 

Behind the Blue Wall blog http://behindthebluewall.blogspot.com

NOTE: In the UK some Stalking/Bullying/Harassment cases can come under Criminal Law rather than Civil Law. - See Suzy Lamplugh Trust for help https://www.suzylamplugh.org/pages/category/national-stalking-helpline