When infatuation turns criminal

Written by Christina Trupia, Staff Writer

 Have you ever noticed someone that is weirdly always around? Or have you ever been on Myspace or Facebook and had someone repeatedly send you messages or inappropriate confessions on your wall? Or how about this, has someone tried to get information about you through other people? I guarantee someone you know has suffered with the annoyance and fear from a stalker.
 However minimal one may feel this “attention” to be, this is what we call stalking. Whether you are the stalker or you are being stalked, it can be pretty scary. Just imagine, a girl or boy likes you, and they show up at every class to walk you to the next class, wait for you after school, and wait for you in the morning! Golly gee, how unfortunate. If you happen to be on the hunt, please at least try not to make it obvious. A police encounter would land you out of luck.
 Cyberstalking, I don’t know whether to decide if it’s worse than actually being followed around, or just plain annoying. However, websites like “Twitter” makes stalking an easier hobby.  Having someone send you messages and comments over and over again can make anyone want to rip their hair out! You turn on your computer, you check your email, and oh no! “You’ve got mail.” Did you know, in 2008, victims ages to 18-30 increased from 28% to 35% in having a cyberstalker? Imagine now in 2010 how it will and probably is already starting to increase drastically. The accessibility into one’s life via Internet allows for a more advantageous pursuit of a stalker.
 Remember, you can be stalked at any time in any place; whether at work, in school, your neighborhood, the grocery store, or your local hangout spot. What’s even worse then all of that? Actually knowing that you’re being stalked. Statistics say 77% of women and 64% of men know who their stalkers are. That’s over half! That’s crazy! And don’t think you’re special and assume “Oh that will never happen to me!” Shoot you probably have someone following you around in lunch! Better watch out.
 In a recent interview, I met a girl who had finally taken care of her stalker. She reported the scenario to the deans. Poor sap wouldn’t leave her alone. “It was so scary! I actually had nightmares of his creepy smile and him staring at me from across the lunchroom. I felt so helpless,” says an anonymous victim. In my personal experience, I was asked out eleven times, almost got my sweater stolen, got my name carved into his arm, and he wanted a lock of my hair!
 We all know Valentines Day is coming up soon, sounds romantic right? You get to spend alone time with your boyfriend or girlfriend, have the man of your dreams finally ask you out. It almost sounds too good to be true. Now imagine your stalker coming up to you with flowers and chocolate. Oh no! You don’t know whether to be nice and play along or break his or her poor heart. Stalking can seem funny, but it can get very serious. People get their emotions hurt, and you don’t know what they’ll do next!
 Take the movie “Prom Night” as an example. If you haven’t seen it, it’s about a girl’s teacher who killed her family to be with her and got sent to prison for life. Three years later, he’s back on her senior prom night to try to get her again. It’s one thing to be stalked by a “friend” or a stranger, creepy enough. But by your teacher?! Has the world gone mad? Talk about being a pedophile.
 So if you know someone who is being stalked or you are being stalked yourself, here are some helpful tips on taking care of your stalker:

1. Avoid any contact with your stalker. Never allow them to become “handsy”.
2. Vary your routine. Walk to class/work a different way. That makes it harder for your stalker to find you. If they have you on GPS, try a mask and mustache, you’ll at least find your stalker to feel disoriented.
3. Create a stalking log. Save everything they send you and write down every time you catch them stalking you. I know it sounds dorky, but you might need it for evidence in the future!
4. Keep a safe distance, and try to travel in a group of people. Try walking between really tall people, never alone.
5. Most importantly, go to the police if the situation continues.