what to do when someone is stalking you lawyer

If you have been the victim of stalking, do not tolerate this unlawful behavior. Contact a Will County family law attorney from The Foray Firm for help taking legal action against the stalker. Call us at 312-702-1293 for a confidential consultation.

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What can I do if I’m being stalked?

Oct 11, 2019 · Here’s What You Can Do If Someone is Stalking You Mediation. Before reporting the stalker to the authorities, you may consider mediating the issue. Not all stalking... Making a Police Report or Magistrate’s Complaint. Unlawful stalking is a criminal offence under the Protection from... Applying for ...

Do I need a lawyer for stalking charges?

give any evidence to law enforcement without consulting with a lawyer first—even if you believe the evidence will show you are not guilty of the alleged crime. Defenses As with any criminal charge, the prosecution must prove stalking beyond a reasonable doubt.

What does it mean to be stalked by someone?

Nov 19, 2020 · If the behavior continues, you may need legal help to resolve the situation. Report. If the stalker is someone you don’t know, you should immediately contact your local police department and report the incident(s). Save the evidence. Write down the events. Document what happened and when. Save texts, emails, letters, and phone messages.

How do you deal with a stalker in a relationship?

Oct 22, 2021 · Contact a Joliet Domestic Violence Lawyer. If you have been the victim of stalking, do not tolerate this unlawful behavior. Contact a Will County family law attorney from The Foray Firm for help taking legal action against the stalker. Call us at 312-702-1293 for a …

What is the legal definition of stalking?

: the act or crime of willfully and repeatedly following or harassing another person in circumstances that would cause a reasonable person to fear injury or death especially because of express or implied threats broadly : a crime of engaging in a course of conduct directed at a person that serves no legitimate purpose ...

What is the punishment for stalking in UK?

What is the maximum sentence for harassment or stalking? If the offence is harassment or stalking: the maximum sentence is six months' custody. if racially or religiously aggravated, the maximum sentence is two years' custody.

How do stalkers find you?

Stalkers write countless letters or emails to their victims, begging for attention. They make repeated phone calls, send gifts, flowers, candies, cards. They secretly follow the victim, either by car or in an insidious way -- by getting access to the victim's email. "We've seen this in many relationships.

What is an example of stalking?

Examples of stalking behaviors include: Repeated, unwanted phone calls, texts, messages, etc. that may or may not be threatening. Creating fake profiles to continue contacting a person after they have been blocked on their personal account. Observing, following or “coincidentally” showing up wherever the person goes.

How can you prove harassment?

Proving harassment to secure a convictionthe defendant has pursued a course of conduct.the course of conduct amounted to harassment of another person.the defendant knew or ought to have known that the course of conduct amounted to harassment.

What is the minimum sentence for harassment?

What sentence could I get for harassment? For the offence without violence, the basic offence of harassment, up to six months imprisonment can be imposed. This increased to 2 years if the offence is racially aggravated.

What causes someone to stalk another person?

According to a 2012 study published in the journal Aggression and Violent Behavior, “Motivations for stalking include a delusional belief in romantic destiny, a desire to reclaim a prior relationship, a sadistic urge to torment the victim, or a psychotic over-identification with the victim and the desire to replace him ...Dec 13, 2018

Why do men secretly stalk you?

Why Do People Stalk? Stalkers often emphasize that they “love” their victims and occasionally say they stalk to keep others safe. For example, an abusive ex-husband might say he stalks his ex-wife to ensure she's properly caring for their children. Psychologically, however, stalking is a crime of control.Apr 5, 2013

Why do psychopaths stalk their victims?

Psychopaths' stalking behaviors tend to be predatory or instrumental in nature. The victim is viewed more as a possession or target for control, retribution, or revenge, rather than as the object of a pathologically based fantasy, obsession, or infatuation.Jul 1, 2012

What is the most common type of stalking?

Simple Obsessional: This is the most common type of stalker. The stalker is usually a male and the focus of the stalking is an ex-wife, ex-lover or former boss.

Who is likely to be a victim of stalking?

The majority of stalking victims are women and most stalkers are men, but men can be victims, too. Three out of four stalking victims were stalked by someone they know; of these, 45 percent of stalkers were acquaintances of the victim and 30 percent were intimate partners.

What percentage of stalkers are female?

78 percentAlthough stalking is a gender-neutral crime, most (78 percent) stalking victims are female and most (87 percent) stalking perpetrators are male.

What do you need to know about stalking charges?

An experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney will be aware of the possible defenses to a stalking charge and the issues that need to be explored. An attorney can give you information about the criminal law process and legal advice, investigate the case, and represent you in court if you have been formally charged.

What are some examples of stalking?

Examples of stalking behavior include: following someone. showing up or driving by a person's home, workplace, or school. monitoring a person's computer, cell phone, or social networking activity. secretly placing a GPS device on someone's vehicle in order to track the person. sending unwanted letters, gifts, or email.

What is stalking crime?

the crime is a second or subsequent offense. the stalking is committed when the offender already has been ordered to stay away from the victim under a court order for no contact, a restraining order, or an order of protection. the stalking involves specific threats to harm the victim or those close to the victim, or.

How to get rid of a crime?

try to talk to the victim about the case or have any contact with the victim. talk to law enforcement or other investigators without an attorney present, or. give any evidence to law enforcement without consulting with a lawyer first—even if you believe the evidence will show you are not guilty of the alleged crime.

Is stalking a felony?

Stalking is a serious crime that can be a felony or misdemeanor. All 50 states have criminal laws against stalking.

What Does Illinois Law Consider Stalking?

Stalking is defined by Illinois law as repeatedly contacting or following someone in such a way that the person fears for their safety or the safety of someone else and makes the person suffer emotional distress.

Benefits of Getting a No Contact Order

The terms “restraining order” or “protection order” are sometimes used to refer to a no-contact order, however, it is important to note that there are several different types of court orders that may benefit a victim of stalking or domestic violence.

Contact a Joliet Domestic Violence Lawyer

If you have been the victim of stalking, do not tolerate this unlawful behavior. Contact a Will County family law attorney from The Foray Firm for help taking legal action against the stalker. Call us at 312-702-1293 for a confidential consultation.

What to do if a stalker threatens to kill themselves?

You can also call 911 if the stalker is threatening to kill themselves if you don’t “call them back”/”keep talking to them”/”return their advances”. Even you think the stalker is just “being manipulative,” don’t hesitate to report them to emergency services.

What to do if your parents are stalking you?

Contact local law enforcement. If the stalking doesn’t stop, you can go with your parents (or by yourself) to your local police station. Or, call them on the phone and ask to speak with an officer about your situation. The police will give you a number of options as to what to do.

What is the best treatment for stalking victims?

When it comes to trauma, the sooner you get treatment the better. CBT and DBT, in combination with Exposure Therapy (such as Prolonged Exposure Therapy or EMDR) can help manage the symptoms of anxiety and fear that stalking victims experience even after the incident has ended.

What is the treatment for PTSD?

If you need more serious treatment for PTSD or other related conditions (such as depression, anxiety, or substance use), a mental health/substance abuse residential treatment center (RTC) or partial hospitalization program (PHP) for adolescents may be necessary.

Who is the most likely victim of stalking?

Here are some other statistics about stalking: Females are two times more likely to be stalked than males. Teens and young adults, ages 18-24, experience the highest rates of stalking. The majority of stalking victims are stalked by someone they know; usually a former partner or significant other.

Is being stalked a symptom of trauma?

You may start staying away from places, people, or activities that are associated with the stalker. This is called avoidance, and is a symptom of trauma.

Is it safe to keep your social media account private?

Keeping your social media account private is a good idea for all teens, not just victims of stalking, as it prevents dangerous strangers (like pedophiles or child sex traffickers) from accessing you directly.

How to deal with stalkers?

While Mohandie cautions that you should NOT engage with your stalker directly, he recommends the following: 1 be alert and proactive to protect yourself from the possible threat. 2 avoid all contact 3 enhance security measures in their lives, such as locks, alarms and security cameras, and says victims should 4 inform key people in their life of the potential threat. 5 save and document all messages, voicemails, letters, and cards. 6 photograph and document things that are damaged and quickly get that information to law enforcement so that police can begin to intervene in the process.

What is the reaction to stalking?

Kris Mohandie, a stalking expert and police psychologist, says a common reaction to stalking behaviors can be for the victim to ignore the stalker's menacing behavior and hope they go away. Unfortunately, he says, this doesn't work with stalkers who are already violating the boundaries of normal behavior and making their targets feel unsafe.

How many types of stalkers are there?

Mohandie says there are basically four kinds of stalkers: There's the public figure stalker, who has not had any prior relationship with their victim. There's the private stranger stalker who crosses paths with a victim in some way and then that person becomes a target.

How to protect yourself from a potential threat?

be alert and proactive to protect yourself from the possible threat. avoid all contact. enhance security measures in their lives, such as locks, alarms and security cameras, and says victims should. inform key people in their life of the potential threat. save and document all messages, voicemails, letters, and cards.

Is stalking a crime?

Mohandie says that stalking is a crime and should be treated that way. As always, if you require emergency assistance, call 911 immediately. The Stalking Safety Planning Guide. Stalking Resource Center from the National Center for the Victims of Crime. Victim Connect Resource Center: 1- 855-484-2846.

What to do if you know someone is stalking you?

If you know the person who is stalking you, provide law enforcement all the information you have on this individual, including any electronic information like email addresses or usernames. Provide a picture if you can. If you do not know the person, try to safely record a video or get a picture of them.

What is the number to call for stalking?

One number to call is the Victim Connect Resource Center at 855-4-VICTIM.

Why do stalkers incite terror?

Stalkers incite terror in their victims, because they want to have power over them and control the situation. If someone keeps showing up in your life in one way or another, and it is beginning to unnerve you, you may be dealing with a stalker. A stalker is not a person who shows up repeatedly and annoys you.

How many people are stalked?

Being stalked is a frightening experience that leaves a person feeling terrorized and powerless. Approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 13 men in the United States are victims of stalking in their lifetimes, and usually the victim knows the perpetrator. If you think you are being stalked, you can take some steps to stay safe ...

How to stay alert when out in public?

Stay alert when you are out in public. Don’t bury your head in your phone, or listen to music with headphones on while out in public. Remember the saying, “There’s safety in numbers,” so ask friends or family to accompany you places if necessary. Don’t walk alone at night. Ask your friends to walk you to your door.

What happens if you tell someone to leave you alone?

If you provide them with any reaction, even telling them to leave you alone, they have successfully manipulated you into getting you to respond to them. Never respond or react to them. Do not respond to any of their texts, emails, or website comments. Instead, save all of these communications for evidence.

How to avoid getting into a pattern?

Vary your routine. Change up your daily routine and do your best to avoid getting into any pattern. Take a different way to work and leave at different times, find other places to get your coffee, or switch around the days of your exercise class.

What happens if the police do not arrest the stalker?

For instance, if the police do not arrest the person, they may require the stalker to sign an agreement or promise in court that he would be charged if he was found to be involved again in such criminal activities.

What are stalkers obsessed with?

Various experts have described many types of them, but they mostly get fit into these two categories: They are obsessed with someone they know: Many stalkers know their targets and try to control them, whether they are their ex-spouses, partners, close friends, acquaintances, or co-workers.

What percentage of harassment victims are obsessed with strangers?

About eight percent of harassment victims fall into this category. They are obsessed with strangers: Some harassing people target strangers, or sometimes celebrities. They may believe that eventually, they will win the money or love of their victims. Almost more than twelve percent of victims fall into this category.

How many harassment cases involve injury to victims?

Less than 2% of harassment cases involve injury to victims. However, in some cases, the results can be severed, so without waiting for any serious step from the other side, you should take action against it. It is always better to find ways to secure yourself and your family.

How many people are stalked?

Being stalked is a scary experience that leaves an individual feeling powerless and terrorized. Approximately one in three men and two in four women in the United States are victims of stalking and harassment in their lifetime. And usually, the target knows the criminal. If you feel you are being tracked, you can take serious steps against it ...

What to do if you feel danger?

Secondly, think about safety, and if you sense any danger, don’t hesitate to dial the emergency number. Explain the whole situation and ask for the information and help to cope with it.

Is stalking a crime?

This kind of behavior of any person gives a good reason for anyone to fear for his/her personal safety. Ethically and legally, this kind of behavior of any person is not acceptable. Where this type of behavior is explicitly threatening and considered criminal harassment.

What is stalking in a relationship?

Stalking occurs when someone repeatedly harasses or threatens someone else, causing fear or safety concerns. Most often, stalking occurs by someone the victim knows or with whom they had an intimate relationship. Help prevent stalking by knowing the warning signs and how to get help.

How common is stalking?

Stalking is common. About 1 in 6 women and 1 in 17 men have experienced stalking in their lifetimes. Stalking starts early. Nearly 54% of female victims and 41% of male victims experienced stalking before the age of 25. Stalking impacts the physical and mental health of victims.

How does stalking affect the body?

Stalking impacts the physical and mental health of victims. Research shows stalking can lead to depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. About 68% of female and 70% of male victims experienced threats of physical harm during their lifetime.

What are the tactics used to stifle a victim?

Stalking tactics can include: Unwanted phone calls. Unwanted emails, instant messages, text messages, voice messages, or social media messages. Approaching a victim or showing up unwanted, such as at the victim’s home, workplace, or school. Leaving strange or potentially threatening items for the victim to find.

What is stalking a person?

Stalking is a form of harassment. It can be from someone you know or someone you don’t know. A stalker will repeatedly watch, follow or harass you. Many people who are aware they are being stalked are living in fear for their safety and their family’s safety, as victims never really know when it will end, how it will end and how to prove it. ...

How many stalking offences were there in 2017?

Read more advice on stalking and how to gather evidence. In 2017-2018, there were 10,214 recorded stalking offences and there are ongoing concerns that not all complaints are being investigated or recorded correctly.