The other day I was walking alone and a guy kept following me, it was not the first time, and I have seen him around so many times and it wasn’t comfortable, and I was clueless as what to do. My friend received some many unnecessary inappropriate messages over social media. Yes, you guessed it correctly I’m talking about stalking, especially women stalking.
For people who don’t know what stalking is, it’s an unwanted contact, where a stranger tries to communicate, makes you feel unsafe, harassed. People think it’s common and there is no harm, but have you ever been in victim’s shoes? Stalking need not be physical, stalkers use technology, internet, social media etc and this is called cyber stalking.
About 1 in 6 women and 1 in 17 men have experienced stalking in their lifetime. Stalking impacts the physical and mental health of victims. Research shows stalking can lead to depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Stalking is a crime and there are certain laws against stalking, however people are unaware about this fact. Victim, can file a complaint and get restraining order against stalker.
Ladies should be careful from cyber stalking, in cyber stalking a stalker may change victim’s identity, post inappropriate or unwanted content on the internet, might leak personal details, can misuse victim’s details for unauthorized purposes.
Now the question is how to safeguard ourselves when we are in danger? Victim or any person who feel its unsafe can call 112 (in India) and seek immediate help, find a safe place to go, move to nearby police station and inform the officials.
Women stalking is seen everywhere, everyday and it gives a message that it’s not safe for women to go out at any time, not only nights. However since women are capable of everything , ladies should be more careful, carry pepper spray with them, take necessary actions immediately, do not panic, and that’s how we can protect ourselves from such stalkers.
Let’s fight together and make this country a safe place to live for everyone.
