Stalking 101
By Susan Nienow CONTRIBUTING WRITER

People sometimes stalk their ex-partners after the ending of a relationship. The most frequent perpetrators are men.

Stalking arrests show up on the police department's daily crime log all too often. In 2007, there were 53 males and 10 females arrested for stalking in Chesterfield County. Often, these arrests were in tandem with other domestic violence-related charges. Nationally, 81 percent of victims who were stalked by an intimate partner said they had also been physically assaulted by that partner.

One out of every 12 women and one out of 45 men are stalked in their lifetime. A man who is stalked is often reluctant to go to the police and say a woman is stalking him, so the stalking rate against men could be much higher.

Stalking is defined as "a pattern of behavior directed at a person that causes a reasonable person to be in fear," and often occurs after an intimate relationship between two parties has ended.

Men are the most frequent perpetrators. Ninety-four percent of female victims and 60 percent of male victims were stalked by men. When the stalker is an intimate partner, he is more likely to use a weapon, to re-offend and to escalate the stalking behaviors quickly.

Stalking behaviors

The stalker may follow the victim, make threatening or harassing phone calls, or send unwanted communication in the form of letters, cards, e-mails or instant messages. He may threaten family members or a new partner of the victim. Usually these behaviors are not reported to the police.

Offenders typically have aboveaverage intelligence and dependent and/or controlling personalities. They may also suffer from personality disorders: narcissistic, antisocial and/or borderline. They may commit other crimes.

Victims are more at risk if there has been past physical violence, threats or an escalation in acts. Victims should also consider if the stalker has a prior history of stalking behavior, violating protective orders or committing other criminal offenses. If the suspect is preoccupied with suicide or homicide, has weapons available or is abusing drugs or alcohol, the risk for violence is even higher.

The law

Stalking is a Class 1 misdemeanor and punishable by no more than one year in jail and a $2,500 fine. A third or subsequent conviction that occurs within five years of a conviction for this or a similar offense is a Class 6 felony. For specifics, see the Code of Virginia, 18.2- 60.3.

"It is a challenge to try these [cases] because the evidence is limited to that time or place. Bringing up past abuse is decided case by case," said Chesterfield County Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney B.J. McGee. "There is a high threshold of proof."

The acts may occur in multiple jurisdictions, so it may be hard to see the whole picture. The stalker doesn't want witnesses and may be careful not to leave evidence.

A person may be charged with stalking in any Virginia jurisdiction as long as the stalking occurred at least once in that jurisdiction, explains Beth Smyers, Chesterfield County Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney

If you are being stalked

Anyone who is being stalked should contact the police to report incidents and then go to a magistrate and try to get a 48-hour emergency protective order and a court date. Once an emergency protective order is issued, the victim must then go before a judge for a temporary protective order. Permanent protective orders are also issued by a judge and are for two years.

Report all incidents of stalking - even incidents where you are unsure if the stalker is involved - to the police so they are documented, recommended Sgt. Ed Wessel of the Chesterfield Police Department. Sometimes bizarre incidents that seem harmless may actually be the work of the stalker. For additional help, contact a victim advocate from the Victim Witness Assistance Program at 796-7087.

More tips for victims

• Keep a journal of all stalking activity and who witnessed it. Save anything the stalker leaves for you or sends to you. Screen all calls. If the stalker leaves a message, save it for the police or your advocate.

• Do not contact or respond to your stalker in any way. A stalker acts out of a need for control and power. Any conversation or interaction with the stalker encourages his/her stalking behavior.

• Friends, co-workers and family may have to be notified, but should not directly intervene.

• Provide a photo of the offender and a copy of the protective order to a supervisor or the security department at work.

• Change the locks, add deadbolts and update lighting at home. Notify schools and childcare if you have children. Be aware of your surroundings and keep your cell phone charged and with you at all times.

• The victim may have to move, get an unlisted number while keeping the old to gather evidence, and change routines.

For more information on stalking, the law and abuse, call the Domestic Violence Resource Center at 768-4783.