Do you feel like someone is following you? This is one of the tell-tale signs of a stalker. Learn how to eliminate a stalker.
What is stalking, and how does it happen
Stalking is using a series of behaviors to intimidate, harass or threaten someone else. There are different types of stalking, including the stalker who follows their victim.
Stalkers are known to repeatedly contact someone, leave unwanted gifts, damage their property, and make threats.
But stalking doesn’t only happen in cop films and dark thrillers. This is a much more common occurrence than you may think.
According to Harvard, in the US, one in 12 women and 1 in 45 men have experienced stalking at some point in their life. This is over 10,000,000 people. You probably know someone who has been stalked.
Just because the person isn’t outside your home doesn’t mean that you aren’t being stalked. Cyberstalking can be just as dangerous and real as IRL stalking and has become one of the most popular ways for dangerous individuals to intimidate and follow others.
Remember: Don’t listen to Hollywood. Stalking is not romantic. Stalking can be a serious offense that has a devastating effect on the victim. [Read: Why is a guy creepy] There are 24 types and signs of men that girls should stay away from.
Why do people stalk
Many reasons exist for someone to stalk another person. Some stalkers may be motivated by obsession or love, while others might be motivated by revenge or anger.
Some stalkers have a mental illness, while others do not. It depends on the stalker, victim, and case. [Read: 39 Signs and Types of Psychopaths and How to Deal with Them]
Some stalkers have apparent motives. Someone may be stalking you because they believe you’re in love. A delusional disorder called erotomania makes them think they are in love with you.
If you are being stalked, it could be revenge. Commonly, they’ll show aggressive stalker signs like threatening you or damaging your property. All of this is an attempt to demonstrate dominance over you.
It’s essential to keep in mind that it is never your fault. The stalker is responsible for the problem.
You only have to learn to stop stalking and lead a life free of fear if you are a victim.
What types of stalkers are there
What types of stalkers exist, and which people show signs of a stalker most often? Statistics show that certain people are more likely than others to be stalked or the victim of stalking.
A US survey found that 78% of stalking targets are women and 87% are men. This means that most stalkers and victims are men. Even if the victim is a male, it is more likely that his stalker will be a male.
If you want to learn how to stop a stalker from following you, you need to be aware of who stalks. It is important to understand the different types of stalkers and their signs. Here are the four most common stalkers.
Public Figure Stalker
Public figure stalkers follow or harass public figures, like celebrities, politicians, or athletes.
It is not necessary to be famous to attract a stalker. Just someone with a high profile in the public sphere will do. They stalk for many reasons, including attention-seeking or romantic obsession (erotomania).
Public figure stalkers are often well-versed in their victims’ lives because so much information about them is available.
They may also be willing to do anything to get their victim’s attention. They think they know their victim and don’t realize they are harassing him or her. Some stalkers of public figures have even used violence.
Private stranger stalker
Private stranger stalkers are people who stalk someone they don’t know personally. This stalking is just as dangerous as that of an ex-partner or acquaintance but can be harder to detect and stop.
You could have a stalker who you met once, like in the supermarket or on a run.
You may not know the person stalking you, so it can be hard to tell.
The stalker may begin by following the victim, watching from afar, or sending unwanted gifts or letters. As the stalking continues, the stalker can become more aggressive and threaten or even try to harm the victim.
Acquaintance stalker
The acquaintance stalker is someone they are only vaguely familiar with but do not know very well. It could be someone they know, such as a classmate, coworker, or neighbor.
Statistics show that only half of those who stalk their acquaintances will turn violent or dangerous.
But just because there is a lower chance of violence doesn’t mean they won’t ruin your life.
It can be as dangerous as stalking a stranger or an ex-partner. And it’s even harder to escape. It’s difficult to separate your lives because they are so intertwined.
The stalker is intimate
The most dangerous stalker is the intimate stalker. You know them personally and intimately. They could be a friend, an ex-partner, or an ex-spouse.
A stalker who is intimate is more likely to cause violence than any other type of stalker. The risk is around 74 percent. You should educate yourself about stalking signs and call the police if you suspect you have an intimate stalker.
Intimate stalkers can use violence in many ways, from pushing you to shouting and even murder. Stalking is a common component of domestic violence murders. Some domestic abusers use stalking as a way to control an ex-partner.
How to recognize stalkers by their real signs
You now know what stalking really is and why people do it. What are the true signs of a stalker, though?
It’s important to recognize how serious your situation is if you see the signs of stalking. Think again if you think that stalking is not a big deal.
As soon as you notice the behavior, it is important to stop the stalker. Let’s look at the most common warning signs to be safe. If you don’t recognize the signs, it’s impossible to know how to stop a stalker.
