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from invasion anywhere. In her book she offers practical suggestions for handling a
similar stalker in a similar situation. There is also valuable information in the book
about the feelings and thoughts—the mental processes—that may be going on in the
stalker, since the doctor got to know the patient very well. Several other books
Other books have been written by therapists who have worked with stalkers. Michele
Pathe (2002), also a psychiatrist and Director of the Stalking and Threat Center, has
written more of a practical survival manual, focusing on different types of stalkers
and on coping strategies and community resources available to the victim. She is
also co-author of Stalkers and Their Victims, along with other experienced
counselors. The Mullen, P. E., Pathe, M. & Purcell, R. (2000) book is a somewhat
more scholarly publication covering more research and the psychological
understanding of stalking.
There is another group of authors who focus on the legal, criminology, public safety
and survival aspects of stalking: Mike Proctor (2003) is a detective in California who
tries to give the victim the who, where, how and why of stalking, so they and the
Police Department can protect the victim and legally stop the aggressor. Bates
(2001) and Boon and Sheridan (2002) also provide research and information to
victims and Police Departments about risk assessment, a new diagnostic system for
stalkers, and policing of stalking. Some police departments provide tips to stalking
Finally, there are several Websites that provide resources, support and discussion
8:30 AM and 8:30 PM. I would recommend that you pay close attention to ways of
keeping your whereabouts secret. For instance, Google may provide your address,
phone number and a map to your house. Likewise, there are ways to block your
address being given out at the Motor Vehicle Department and Post Office (use a PO
Box). You can get and use an unlisted phone number while keeping your answering
machine on the old number recording calls from the stalker. Carry an unlisted cell
phone with you at all times and have friends, relatives, and trusted others call you
on that phone.
Britain and written up by Dr. Lorraine Sheridan at University of Leicester
victims of stalking were female. Perhaps surprisingly, 36% of the victims (male and
female) were professionals but they included a wide range of incomes. Victims
averaged 33 years of age and stalkers were 38 at the start of the crime. Half of the
victims had had an intimate relationship with the stalker; another one-third had a
prior acquaintance. If they had previously been intimate, about 85% of the stalkers
had been abusive. Only 10% of the perpetrators started pursuing a total stranger.
One third of the victims thought stalkers were mentally ill. Others thought stalking
was just a story for TV or only happened to celebrities…they certainly felt it couldn’t
