This section is excerpted from the Stalking Resource Center, Help for Victims (2012).
Stalking is unpredictable and dangerous. No two stalking situations are alike. No guarantees exist that what works for one person will work for another, yet you can take steps to increase your safety.
- If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
- Trust your instincts. Don't downplay the danger.
- Take threats seriously. Danger generally is higher when the stalker talks about suicide or murder, or when a victim tries to leave or end the relationship.
- Contact the rape crisis center hotline in your area. An advocate can help you create a safety plan, provide information about related laws, weigh options such as seeking a protection order, and refer you to other services.
- Develop a safety plan (see below).
- Don't communicate with the stalker or respond to attempts to contact you.
- Keep evidence of the stalking. When the stalker follows you or contacts you, write down the time, date, and place. Keep emails, text messages, phone messages, letters, or notes. Photograph anything the stalker damages and any injuries the stalker causes. Ask witnesses to write down what they saw.
- Contact the police. WV and federal laws make stalking and harassment illegal (see the laws section of this website). The stalker may also have broken other laws by actions such as assaulting you or stealing or destroying your property.
- Consider seeking a protective order that tells the stalker to stay away from you. (See the victim guide—victim information, safety planning section in this website for WV specific guidance.)
- Tell family, friends, roommates, and co-workers about the stalking and seek their support.
- Tell security staff at your job, school, housing community, etc. Ask them to watch out for your safety.