{"id":2293,"date":"2021-05-04T20:38:48","date_gmt":"2021-05-04T20:38:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/havnsecurity.com\/?page_id=2293"},"modified":"2024-04-16T16:56:31","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T16:56:31","slug":"signs-of-a-stalker","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/havnsecurity.com\/signs-of-a-stalker\/","title":{"rendered":"Signs of a Stalker & How to Deal with a Stalker"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
Michael Douglas, Madonna, Britney Spears, John Lennon…the list is long and troublesome of celebrities or public figures who have experienced extreme – if not deadly – stalking.\u00a0 And while most stalking does not become physically dangerous or deadly, it is best to know the definition of stalking, the signs of a stalker, and have a plan on how to deal with a stalker.\u00a0 As a serious crime, stalking is a felony (or misdemeanor) and carries significant legal consequences. It’s also one of the top reasons to hire a bodyguard service<\/a>.<\/p> Why HAVN? An unfortunate part of our business is dealing with celebrity stalkers and the result of their actions.\u00a0 And while celebrities and public figures are more likely to experience stalking, the same principals can apply to anyone – especially in the era of social media.<\/p> We’d like to provide some insight to help you stay safe and better prepare you if you are experiencing signs of a stalker.<\/p> The legal definition of stalking is “engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to – (A) fear for his or her safety or the safety of others; (B) suffer substantial emotional distress.”1<\/a><\/em><\/p> Practically speaking, stalking is harassing behavior directed specifically at you – and it’s usually a repeat thing.<\/p> When you’re being stalked, first stay calm.\u00a0 Most stalking does not lead to violent crime.\u00a0 Also, stalking is common – for example, 79% of television personalities experience stalking at some point during their career1<\/a>, so you’re not alone.<\/p> Here are some warning signs of a stalker and our tips on how to deal with a stalker.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t A stalker caught on door cam footage.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t \nStalking is \"engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to - (A) fear for his or her safety or the safety of others; (B) suffer substantial emotional distress.\"\n<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Stalking is a pathological fixation.\u00a0 This fixation is “an abnormal, highly-focused and all-encompassing interest” in you that comes to dominate the stalker’s life, leading them to believe they are entitled to a relationship with you.” This definition of stalking helps differentiate stalkers from superfans, who may hope for a relationship BUT DO NOT FEEL ENTITLED to one.<\/p> It’s hard to know a stalker will eventually become violent. In the case of celebrity attacks, 77% of eventual attackers have a history of communication with the target. And there are almost always “warning behaviors” in these interactions:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t While any combination of these behaviors do not guarantee a violent encounter, you should take them seriously.\u00a0 Please take any signs of a stalker seriously – the best way to stop a stalker is to deal with them as soon as possible.\u00a0 Stalking is a felony (or misdemeanor) even if it does not lead to violent crime.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Celebrities and public figures seek public attention and affection as part of their career. Performance contracts regularly require specific levels of follower social engagement 7<\/a>. “Letting people into your life” is a common strategy. Influencers now build their entire careers off of Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.\u00a0 Attention may be good for careers, but it has the undesirable side effect of encouraging potential stalkers to see and interact with you – while simultaneously giving them more information about your private life.<\/p> Consider the case of\u00a0 Ena Matsuoka – a Japanese pop star.\u00a0 In September 2019, a stalker zoomed into a high-resolution photo that she posted on social media.\u00a0 The stalker used clues found in the reflections of her pupils to discover her home address.\u00a0 He waited for her to return home one night and sexually assaulted her.<\/p> Pablo Tarazaga-Orero camped outside of Harry Styles’ house for months, claiming that he had visions of being together with the One Direction star in Ireland.\u00a0 One day while Styles was jogging, Orero ambushed and grabbed him.\u00a0 Styles hired private security, installed panic locks, and continued to feel anxiety and dread even after his Orero was found guilty of harassment.\u00a0 Unfortunately, none of this stopped the stalker – he broke his restraining order in January 2021.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Most stalkers do not commit actual physical violence, but the probability of incidents increases the larger your public profile. This is because a certain percentage of stalkers also have a severe mental illness – and this can be a dangerous combination when there are not measures in place that can physically stop a stalker.<\/p> We calculate the likelihood of an attack based on your popularity and following size. We understand from the data that a certain percentage of followers will demonstrate the signs of a stalker, others will be extreme stalkers, and another percentage will be stalkers with mental health issues. The bigger you get, the more opportunity there is for a dangerous situation – and the more likely you will be to experience a physical or psychological assault.<\/p> Regardless, stalking is a felony (or misdemeanor) and carries significant consequences on its own – whether or not your stalker goes on to commit a violent crime.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Stalkers expect something from you and won’t take no for an answer.\u00a0 They can take unilateral action to get what they want whether or not you reciprocate.\u00a0 Often times, paparazzi walk a fine line between legitimate journalism and dangerous stalking – they can demonstrate multiple signs of a stalker. When there is an implicit agreement that you are trading photos of yourself in exchange for publicity, that can be a good business arrangement.\u00a0 In fact, at a clients’s request, HAVN can facilitate the healthy, respectful interaction between professional, courteous paparazzi and the client. At other times, HAVN must speak to paparazzi and ask them to “back off.” When paparazzi “cross the line,” it’s best to have someone around that knows how to stop a stalker – because the same rules apply.\u00a0 Ultimately, mutual trust is important to a sustainable business relationship.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> When paparazzi fail to respect your boundaries or “cross the line,” it’s up to you as the celebrity to deal with the consequences.\u00a0 That can be encroachment and\/or damage of your personal property, undesirable photos or videos showing up in magazines, and embarrassing or traumatic public appearances.\u00a0 Law enforcement can respond after the fact, but private security is a better fit for real-time corrective action.\u00a0 You can try to handle it yourself, but you may end up compounding the problem – much like Alec Baldwin or Sean Penn did when dealing directly with paparazzi themselves.<\/p> It’s beneficial to have a good, working relationship with the paparazzi – and hiring a private security firm who has experience dealing with paparazzi is a good way to go.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Celebrities are often reluctant to bring stalking behavior to the attention of the police because it is challenging to know the difference between a stalker and a superfan. However, if you are experiencing multiple behaviors in the list above, you may very well be dealing with a stalker. Please ask for help if you think you may be dealing with a stalker.\u00a0 Even if a stalker doesn’t commit an act of violence, it is emotionally damaging to you and other victims.\u00a0 Stalking is a felony (or misdemeanor) in many jurisdictions because it causes fear and substantial distress to another human being.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t As we consider how to stop a stalker, there are a few things to keep in mind:<\/p> As we consider how to stop a stalker, the legal system is one of the main tools we have at our disposal.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> In California, stalking is considered a “wobbler” for first time offenders – this means the crime can be classified as either a felony or a misdemeanor according to Penal Code section 646.9.<\/p> The prosecution has flexibility in how they want to approach the case.\u00a0 The law recognizes that some stalking is less harmful, while other stalking is extremely dangerous.\u00a0 This gives the prosecutors the opportunity to look at the specific case and decide if the particular instance of stalking is a felony-level offense.<\/p> However, stalking is a felony (automatically) in the following cases:<\/p> Also, stalking can lead to other crimes – and each violation of the law will be taken into account.\u00a0 Make sure to keep detailed notes and evidence of any worrisome actions.<\/p> For more information, California Penal Code section 646.9<\/a> is a readable document.\u00a0 If you are outside of California, you will need to research your local laws, consult local law enforcement, or talk to an attorney.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t In Los Angeles, the LAPD’s Threat Management Unit<\/a> responds to harassment and stalking. As we mentioned before, there is a strong correlation between dangerous stalking and severe mental illness. For this reason, the LAPD’s Crisis Response Support Section includes both the Threat Management Unit to respond to harassment and stalking and the Mental Evaluation Unit (MEU) to assist patrol officers with mental health issues.<\/p> If someone is demonstrating the signs of a stalker, you may be able to get a restraining order to protect you.\u00a0 When a restraining order is enough to stop a stalker, then it is worth the effort – unfortunately, often times it is not.\u00a0 In this case, the courts may issue a harsher sentence, including jail time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t HAVN specializes in keeping celebrity and public figures safe as a private security firm.\u00a0 This includes many facets of security expertise – including how to stop a stalker. Our goal is to track potential stalkers, gather and maintain intelligence, and reduce the likelihood of physical threats. We also diffuse physical security situations in real-time.<\/p> HAVN<\/a> also works with the LAPD’s Threat Management Unit to ensure our clients get the best possible combination of private and public security available for any given situation.<\/p> Do you want to know how much a bodyguard costs?\u00a0<\/a>Check out our article to get an idea of what is involved.<\/p> Plelase note: HAVN<\/a> is not a first responder. We handle security situations when we already have a relationship. It is always best to be proactive and have an appropriate security plan already in place. Among other factors, a personalized HAVN threat assessment looks at your level of public exposure and your audience\/fanbase size. Contact us<\/a> today to learn more. If you believe your life or safety is in danger, please dial 911 immediately.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\tTable of Contents<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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DEFINITION OF STALKING:<\/h2>\n
19951<\/a><\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tWhat are the warning signs of a stalker?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Social Media Increases the Likelihood of Stalkers<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Are stalkers violent?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
of television personalities experience stalking during their career.1<\/a><\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
of female homicide victims experience stalking by an intimate partner before they are killed.8<\/a><\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
of attackers have a history of communication with their target.1<\/a><\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
Why do people stalk celebrities?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Paparazzi vs Stalkers and what you can do?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
What is the difference between stalkers and superfans?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
When Ex-boyfriends and Ex-girlfriends Turn Into Stalkers<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
How to deal with a stalker? How to stop a stalker?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Is stalking a felony? That depends.<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
What public resources are available?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
What private resources are available?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
External Sources<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t