-1 in 6 women (16.2%) and 1 in 19 men (5.2%) in the United States have experienced stalking victimization at some point during their lifetime. (http://www.wgac.colostate.edu/stalking-statistics)

-Persons aged 18-24 years experience the highest rate of stalking. (http://sites.jcu.edu/vpac/pages/stalking/stalking-..)

Most people know I'm an outspoken advocate against sexual violence and domestic violence, but I've also learned quite a lot about stalking and I've been disturbed to see how common it is, especially in my age group. Stalking is a very difficult crime to penalize and can often lead to tragic outcomes. With the digital age we're living in now, where it's much easier to find somebody, it's important we know how vulnerable we all are and that we should be careful who we exchange information with.

I've never been stalked, but I've had friends who've had experiences, and I've educated myself of stories of those who've been stalked. I binge watch Stalked: Someone's Watching and have learned quite a bit about stalking from the show (the show is hosted by criminal psychologist Dr. Michelle Ward, who is also a survivor or stalking). Stalking is a form of psychological torture, constantly looking over one's shoulder, having nightmares, never knowing if they'll live until the next day. Protection orders, changing residencies, having an unlisted phone number, those precautions can only protect you so much, there's only so much one can do to protect themselves. Stalkers are often unpredictable and unstable, their behaviors often escalating to a dangerous point.

It wasn't until 1990 when the first anti stalking law was passed. Even though it's now 2017, there's still little the police can do to help unless the stalker escalates their actions to a dangerous point (killing, assault, etc.).

Rebecca Schaeffer was an upcoming actress, best known for starring in the television show My Sister Sam in the late 1980's. She was murdered by longtime stalker Robert John Bardo. Bardo was obsessed with Rebecca for three years and tried unsuccessfully to meet her prior to the murder. He hired a private investigator to track her down, and was able to find her home. Bardo shot Rebecca in the chest point blank. She died thirty minutes later. Bardo is serving a life term in prison.

Rebecca's tragic death started the conversation about stalking and pushed the first anti stalking law to be passed in 1990, a year after Rebecca's death.

Peggy Klinke was stalked by her abusive ex boyfriend. Peggy moved from New Mexico to California, had her phone number unlisted, did everything she could to cover her tracks, only for the ex boyfriend to track her down to murder her, one week before her stalking case was set to go to court. The ex boyfriend, Patrick Kennedy, killed himself after shooting Peggy. Peggy had done everything right to protect herself: documented every incident, was able to get a protection order, moved away, and yet he still found her. Laws were changed, including laws making it illegal for known stalkers to hire private investigators (Patrick hired a private investigator to track down Peggy). Peggy's sister Debbie Riddle is now an advocate speaking out against stalking, telling Peggy's story.

Anybody can be a victim of stalking: men, women, children, adults, elderly, any race, any sexuality, celebrities or civilians. Anybody can be a stalker: ex lovers, friends, acquaintances, co-workers, strangers, anybody. If anybody makes you feel uncomfortable, gives you bad vibes, or you see red flags appear, trust it. Even though there are laws in place to protect victims of stalking, the best person to protect you is yourself. Tell someone, report it, you're not alone.

Rebecca's story:

Peggy's story:

https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/tv-shows/st...

Information and help:

https://victimsofcrime.org/our-programs/stalking-r...

http://www.trynova.org/crime-victim/specialization...