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How to Protect Yourself From A Stalker

Michelle Ward, a criminal psychologist and stalking victim, talks about stalkers and what we can do to protect ourselves from them.

WebMD Feature from "Marie Claire" Magazine

By Maura Kelly

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Recently, a new show called Stalked: Someone's Watching, premiered on the Investigation Discovery channel. Over the course of six episodes, the program recounts the stories of men who relentlessly pursued former partners, or neighbors, or relative strangers - and provides some insight into their twisted motives. The first episode details the relationship between Peggy Klinke and Patrick Kennedy, the man whom she once considered the love of her life - who would eventually kill her. Michelle Ward, a criminal psychologist and stalking victim herself, is featured in the series and talked to me about men like Kennedy ... and what we can do to protect ourselves from them.

Why do stalkers become stalkers?

It's hard to say. But some people seem to be predisposed to that behavior, due to biological or genetic factors, or the way they were raised. The vast majority of stalkers exhibited troubling or violent behavior earlier in their lives.

Who is most vulnerable to stalkers?

Anyone can become a stalker's target. But women who have been stalked often refer to themselves as the "savior type." They enjoy trying to help troubled or struggling men.

Is there anything women can do to preemptively protect themselves from stalkers?

While there are very few specific antecedents to stalking, controlling behavior is probably the biggest predictor. A man who tries to dictate a woman's wardrobe, how she does her hair, what she does at work, the people with whom she socializes, her relationships with her family, or her activities inside and outside of the home often ends up stalking her. Additionally, women should be wary of a partner who is extremely jealous of other men, and other people in general. Stalkers sometimes try to eliminate a woman's resources, particularly her access to friends and family.

All of this means women shouldn't brush aside warning signs that pop up at the beginning of a relationship. Be very selective about whom you allow into your life. A man who is overly jealous, irrationally suspicious, or aggressive in ways that make you uncomfortable may become dangerous as your intimacy grows. And if your friends, family, or colleagues are concerned about the guy, listen to what they say. Also, try to find out how he behaved in previous romantic relationships. Arrests or charges for domestic violence, harassment, or any other aggressive behavior are very bad signs, of course.

Often, stalker victims are women who stay too long in bad relationships, or put up with too much before ending things.

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