City of Georgetown Texas > Georgetown Police Department > STALKING INFORMATION

STALKING INFORMATION

While legal definitions of stalking vary from one jurisdiction to another, a good working definition of stalking is a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. If you suspect you are being stalked, you should report all contacts and incidents to law enforcement. You can call 9-1-1 in an emergency or 512-930-3510 in a non-emergency situation to make a report and to get help.

Stalking is unpredictable and dangerous. No two stalking situations are alike. Learn to trust your instincts-don’t downplay the danger. If you feel you are unsafe, you probably are. Take threats seriously-danger is usually higher when the stalker talks about suicide or murder, or when the victim tries to end the relationship. Stalkers can threaten, attack, sexually assault and even kill their victims. Unfortunately, there is no single psychological or behavioral profile that can predict what stalkers will do.

Stalkers’ behaviors can escalate, from more indirect ways of making contact (e.g., sending email or repeated phone calling) to more personal ways (delivering things to the victim’s doorstep or showing up at their work).

Many victims struggle with how to respond to the stalker. Some victims try to reason with the stalker, try to “let them down easy” or “be nice” in hopes of getting the stalker to stop the behavior. Some victims tell themselves that the behavior “isn’t that bad” or other sentiments that minimize the stalking behavior. Other victims may confront or threaten the stalker and/or try to “fight back.” These methods rarely work because stalkers are encouraged by any contact with the victim, even negative interactions. It may be difficult, but don’t communicate with the stalker or respond to attempts to contact you.

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