Stalkers come in all shapes, sizes and sexes. They come from all walks of life. Unfortunately, what they don't come with is warning labels. According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, more than 1 million women and more than 370,000 men are victims of stalking every year. One in every 12 women will be stalked in her lifetime. The statistics are scary. When most of us meet someone new, we often give the person the benefit of the doubt, especially when it comes to the dating pool. We don't expect a first date, a random encounter or a blossoming relationship to turn into a stalking nightmare. And while nobody wants to walk around in a paranoid state, it's always a good idea to stay vigilant and keep an eye out for red flags that could signal danger ahead. Many stalkers share these common characteristics: impulsiveness, obsessiveness, selfish, refusal to take no for an answer, being isolated and having low self-esteem.
These individuals play the victim. They may rely on you as the center of the universe. They may think you are more emotionally invested than you really are and may not have a lot of friends or family. Could you be setting yourself up to be stalked? Here's what to look for...You just met the person, and he or she begins blowing up your phone or flooding your inbox. He/she may make repeated attempts to get in touch with you. The person may try to latch on to you, becoming controlling or emotional if you want to spend time with others. If that person's behavior makes you feel uneasy, it's time to take action. Try to pull away gradually and put some distance between yourself and that person. Be careful not to alienate him or her - you don't want to set the person off. Attempt to be firm but clear. Upon realizing you have a stalker situation, tell everybody you know, including law enforcement. The sooner, the better. Don't wait until the situation escalates to take steps.
