Stalking
Stalking means, for example:
- someone harasses you on the phone, via Email, text message etc.
- someone threatens or chases you
- someone insults or embarrasses you
- someone breaks into your home or damages your property
- someone hurts you
That happens not only once, but repeatedly and at different times. The affected (in general) women are put under pressure. The stalker tries to take control in as many areas of the woman’s life as possible.
Stalking has nothing to do with love or lovesickness.
Since 2007, stalking is a crime (§238 StGB).
If you have experienced stalking, that can have different consequences, for example:
- You are scared, you cannot sleep anymore, you are irritable and edgy.
- You feel helpless and as if you are watched constantly, even at home you do not feel safe.
- You don’t go to places anymore where you might meet the stalker.
How can you deal with stalking?
- It is important to say “I don’t want that” as early and clearly as possible.
- After that, you shouldn’t react to any more contact attempts.
- Don’t stay alone with it: It helps you to talk about it with your family, friends, neighbors, colleagues etc.
- You can go to a counselling center (e.g. the Frauennotruf Bielefeld e.V.).
- You could also contact the police or a lawyer.
- What is useful: Collect the messages and write down what happened, when it happened, who might have witnessed it and might have seen or heard something.
