You're alone at night
when you hear a noise in your house.
Your heart is racing
as you go to check it out.
You go to check your room.
And there's someone looking
right through your window.
Who is that person?
And why do they know where you live?
A stalker is a person
who pursues someone aggressively
and obsessively,
to the point of harassing them.
And unlike what you've seen in movies,
it doesn't just happen to celebrities.
And all stalkers are not serial killers.
Unfortunately,
a stalker could be anyone.
It could be a stranger on your street,
an acquaintance, a coworker,
or someone you are, or were,
in an intimate relationship with.
According to the Stalking Resource Center
of the National Center
for Victims of Crime,
7.5 million people are stalked each year
in the United States.
Being stalked might make you feel unsafe,
vulnerable, depressed
and unsure about who to trust.
You could also have trouble sleeping,
concentrating or remembering things.
And it can be frustrating
when other people don't understand
why you're afraid.
Young adults aged 18 to 24
experience the highest rates of stalking.
And women are twice as likely
to be stalked as men.
But it can happen to anyone,
so follow these steps if it happens to you.
Sometimes you might wonder
if you're being paranoid or doubt yourself,
but coincidences can only go so far.
So look for these signs
of a potential stalker.
You might see someone repeatedly
following you from place to place.
It does not have to happen
over a long time.
And it may occur more than once
during the same day.
A stalker might repeatedly try to
communicate with you by telephone,
texting you,
in person,
or by sending unwanted gifts or letters.
Or a stalker
might contact people you know
and ask them to send messages to you,
or or they may keep asking about you.
If someone is persistently close to you
or watching your home, work,
or any place you visit frequently,
they could be stalking you.
The most common type of stalker
is the intimate stalker.
Like a former or current romantic partner.
The risk of violence from
an intimate stalker is about 74%.
This could lead to pushing,
shoving,
or a more serious assault.
And many domestic violence deaths
included stalking.
So avoid your stalker at any cost.
And do not agree to have contact
with a person if you think
they might be stalking you,
especially if you're alone.
If you feel you're in danger,
call 911 immediately.
Enhance the security measures
in your life,
such as door locks,
alarms and security cameras.
And pay special attention
to your online persona.
It is crucial to keep
your personal information confidential
as much as possible.
Do not post your address, phone number,
financial information
and other intimate details of your life
on social media.
Do not use the location feature
on your posts or stories.
And don't post about a future trip
or a festival you're planning to attend.
If you have a car,
make sure to check the vehicle
every time before you drive it.
Look for any new GPS equipment
that you didn't add to the vehicle.
And check for tampering of the brakes
or engine before you drive.
Even if you are not completely sure
about being stalked,
talk to key people in your life
about a potential threat.
Give them as much information
as you can about the stalker.
This should include a general description
of the stalker,
their vehicle,
and the times and places
they tend to show up.
This will help you feel less alone,
and it can be used in the investigation
if something happens to you.
Document and save all messages,
texts, voicemails, letters,
and cards from a potential stalker.
Photograph things like a door forced open,
a damaged lock
or a suspicious car
repeatedly parking next to your home.
If you have to talk to the authorities,
keep a detailed log
of the stalker's conduct.
Dates, times, places, actions
and threats are easier to explain
and remember when you write them down.
When you go out for walks,
shopping and other activities,
try to change your route often.
Have a safe place other than your home
where you can go
in case of an emergency.
This could be a public park,
a police station, a shelter,
a place of worship,
or a friend’s house.
Stalking can affect anyone
at any point in their lives.
It can be a frightening
and life-altering experience.
So it's important to stay vigilant,
ask for help,
and stay close to people
who think they might be in danger.
You don't want the stalking
to escalate to something worse,
like kidnapping.
But don't worry, if that does happen
we've got just the video
to help you get out alive.