PROTECTION
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Stalking is a crime. However, for many reasons, victims of stalking sometimes elect not to report the offense to a law enforcement agency. But, even if you do not go to the police, there are still some basic steps you can take to help protect yourself.

1) Tell everyone. Give friends, coworkers, employers, and neighbors a description of the stalker and his or her car. Ask them to record what they see or here, and call the police is necessary. Employers can also often ask the stalker not to come on the job-site anymore; if the stalker violates this, it may then be possible to arrest him or her for trespassing.

2) Security. Install a home security system, or get a dog. Either of these may serve as a deterrent to the stalker and may help you feel safer. Also, if you are experiencing harassing phone calls, change your number to an unlisted number and give this new number out only to trusted family and friends.

3) Press charges. If there have been at least two incidents in which the stalker has placed you in fear, you can report the crime either by calling an officer to report the stalker’s behavior, or by going to a magistrate. In either case, present any documentation you may have gathered to demonstrate to the officer or magistrate the kinds of contact the stalker has made with you and the extent of this contact. If a warrant is taken out, you can ask that one condition of the defendant’s bond be that he has not contact with you. If he violates that ‘no contact’ order, you can call the police and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office to see if his bond can be revoked. If the defendant’s bond is revoked, he will remain in jail until the date of the trial for the stalking charges.

4) Obtain a Protective Order. This option is available only if charges have already been taken out against the stalker. At the time the stalking warrant is taken out, you may be eligible for an Emergency Protective Order; if it is not mentioned by the officer or magistrate, ask about it. An emergency protective order will prohibit the stalker from having any contact with you. This order usually lasts 72 hours or until 5:00PM the next day Court is in session, whichever is longer. It is designed to be in place long enough for the victim to petition for a permanent stalking protective order. As with a emergency stalking protective order, a permanent order is available only if charges have been taken out, but you may be eligible for a permanent stalking protective order even if an emergency one was not issued. If the stalker is a family/household member, or if you and the stalker have a child in common, you can contact your local Court Service Unit to file request a petition. In non-domestic matters, see your local General District Court clerk’s office.

Permanent protective orders go into a statewide, nationwide system, so that police are alerted to the protective order upon a call from the victim indicating another incident with the stalker. Unfortunately, protective orders may not prevent the stalker from continuing in his or her actions. If you have a protective order and the stalker violates it, contact the police or a magistrate as soon as possible. Violation of a protective order may result in additional charges.

Victim-Witness Assistance Programs may also be able to assist you in registering with the local police department, sheriff’s office, or jail to receive notification if a prisoner escapes, changes his or her name, is transferred, is discharged, or is released from jail.