We all know what stalking is, but it would be good, I think, if we tried to have a more empathetic and less abstract view of it. One way to gain a sense of the harsh reality of stalking is perhaps to think about what it’s like to be stared at. The extreme discomfort that comes with being stared at is hardly the same as being stalked, but it may give us a clue what it’s like to be a victim of stalking.

Here are some facts about stalking: 80% of all stalking victims are women. Nearly 90% of all stalkers are men.

The typical stalker is the former intimate partner of the female victim. Although most stalkers are not mentally ill, they are often socially maladjusted, emotionally immature, insecure and jealous by nature. To compensate for these deficits, they try to exert power and control over the victim. Unfortunately, the impact they have on their victims is often disastrous.

They can cause fear, nervousness and depression in their victims. They make their victims feel helpless and unsafe. Under permanent stress, stalking victims exhibit stress-related symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, eating and sleeping problems. In extreme cases, the victim feels isolated, disconnected from family and friends, feeling no one understands them. This may lead to the use of alcohol or drugs.

A question that’s often asked about stalking victims is, why don’t they get help?

There are several reasons,  including fears about how the stalker will respond, threats by the stalker, fears about how others will respond, and the belief that no one can or will help.

In my opinion, stalking is a cruel and cowardly act, one that German law – although reformed – does too little to restrain.

I have created a lesson plan about stalking in the hope that it can help sensitize students to this serious problem. I have also written a rap, The Stalking Rap

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