Stalker Security

When we think of stalkers, death threats or stalker security we tend to think of it as being a problem for high profile personalities or celebrities. Most situations involving the everyday layperson rarely make the news unless the circumstances are drastic, but it is a problem much more common than most of us realise.

In this post and this podcast, we look at the nature of stalking and stalkers and how to respond to stalking situations.

The Newsmakers

Typically, the media gravitates to situations involving celebrities.

In recent months Australian actress Margot Robbie shared in an interview that death threats are proving to be a costly expense for her, not just emotionally but in real dollar terms through additional stalker security requirements and background checks into the suspected stalkers.

Taylor Swift and her family have been frequent targets of extremely violent threats and recently international model Bella Hadid successfully applied for a restraining order against a known stalker. We could write pages of high profile examples but this is just the tip of the iceberg and wouldn’t show the extent of the problem for ordinary citizens.

Within Australia, the Australian Bureau of Statistics did a survey in 2012 and they reported that one in five women will experience stalking at some stage in their life and one in thirteen men will actually experience stalking in their life.

95% of cases where women are stalked involve men as the perpetrator while male victims have a more even split with men and women roughly accounting for 50% of the perpetrator count. Though women are overrepresented as victims in these statistics, they also prove that men are prone to stalking and violence resulting from this activity.

The Stalker’s Profile

Kris Mohandie a US-based psychologist and expert on the subject of stalking and stalker security says stalkers fit one of four profiles.

1. Public figure stalkers. These usually have no prior relationship to the victim and are usually behind the celebrity cases mentioned earlier.

2. Private stranger stalker. Someone who crosses paths with the victim at some stage and for whatever reason chooses them as a target.

3. Acquaintance stalker. Usually a co-worker or a classmate. They may not know the victim intimately but they are acquainted with them in some way.

4. Intimate stalker. Someone who knows the victim well through a close relationship, potentially even an ex-lover or partner. The most common and most dangerous type and often at the centre of domestic abuse cases.

Some stalkers have reasonably harmless intentions and often a victim might be unaware that they are being stalked, but even if the intention is harmless, it still represents a serious problem and a threat to the wellbeing of others.

Stalking also takes many forms. It can be loitering or observation from a distance or it can be an intrusion on a home or other property. On the more aggressive end of the spectrum, it can take the form of violent threats delivered verbally, on paper, electronically or through a third party.

Six Actions To Take If You Suspect You Are Being Stalked – How To Improve Your Stalker Security Posture

1. Early intervention is key to prevent situations from escalating so if you think someone might be stalking you the first port of call is the police. Give them copies of any correspondence, photos or any other evidence you have gathered to demonstrate that there is a problem.

2. Next action is to let family and friends know so they can support you and be vigilant for threatening or harassing situations. In some cases, they may even be at risk themselves so in letting them know about it you are giving them an opportunity to protect themselves as well.

3. If you haven’t done so recently, review the security in your home. Measures such as CCTV cameras, remote monitoring, alarms, security screens and deadlocks can all reduce your risk and help you feel safer.

4. Mix up your routines and take different routes to and from home and work. And where possible, travel with friends and colleagues so you are not unnecessarily exposed while alone.

5. It is also advisable to cut back on social media activity until the threat has abated. Sharing too many insights on where you are or where you plan to be can play into the hands of the stalker. It is better to keep them guessing.

6. As a last resort, you may also need to consider a physical security presence, not a run-of-the-mill security guard that you might find in a shopping mall but someone suitably experienced in close personal protection (CP) and executive protection (EP). They are vastly different fields and the standard of security you will receive from a CP/EP professional will be much higher.  Our free guide “How to Hire an Executive Protection Agent” includes a cheat sheet with 37 questions you should ask before hiring a provider. Enter your details below to access the guide.

Expert Help Is Key

The key takeaway for readers to bear in mind is that stalking is serious and not something you should take into your own hands to resolve. Calling your beefy cousins in to help protect you is not the solution and can make things worse. Making counter threats is not the solution either. Stalkers are irrational and unpredictable and often mentally unstable so it’s best to get the experts involved as early as possible.

For more information on stalker security or to discuss threats being made against you or your loved ones, contact Panoptic Solutions or call +61 1300 651 407 and one of our expert security consultants will call you ASAP.

All of these techniques will improve your stalker security awareness and deterrence.