025ISSUE 32OFFGRIDWEB.COMW H AT
IF?If law enforcement in your jurisdiction is
powerless to help with the type of online
harassment you’re receiving, or your stalk-
er just won’t go away, there’s a way the law
can help — civil action. Depending on the
documentation you have, you may be able
to build a civil case against your stalker. If
their comments and actions interfere with
your business relationships, you may have
a viable case. If your stalker is spreading
lies in print somewhere, you could possibly
go after them for libel (damaging some-
one’s reputation by writing falsehoods). You
could even run the “infliction of emotional
distress” angle.
In any case, an attorney would be the
best resource for information on the most
appropriate course of action in your juris-
diction. You may even be able to go after
the social media site for not removing slan-
derous videos and libelous posts. These
entities will likely have deeper pockets than
your stalker, making it possible for you to
get your legal fees back (and then some).
But don’t expect a “win” overnight. Legal
battles can drag on for years. Filing law-
suits and dealing with courts can be almost
as scary as your unrelenting harasser, but
you’re within your rights to protect yourself
and your family in these uncomfortable
(and even dangerous) circumstances.
So let’s say you got that restraining
order; what happens when the restrain-
ing order doesn’t work? When the online
threats escalate to unwelcomed notes
placed around your property, “hang-up”
or harassing phone calls day and night,
or suspicious behavior around your home
and family (e.g. spying on your home or
approaching your child in public), how
can we handle that? Now we’re away from
the cyber issues and getting into criminal
activity that the local police can address.
Again, document everything! Don’t touch
that threatening note on your car, or
your slashed tires — that’s evidence and
you don’t want to contaminate it. Call
your local law enforcement and get them
on scene.
Now, what if you encounter the stalker
yourself, or your family runs into them,
out on the street? When they’re in a public
place, that’s not against the law. I’d simply
leave without engaging the person. If they
try to communicate with you or your fam-
ily members in a negative way, leave and
document it and see if you can accumulate
witnesses. If they come onto your prop-
erty, that’s trespassing and you might just
win that round (with proof). If I were faced
with an escalating situation at home, I’d
definitely add extra security precautions
around the house. If I didn’t already have an
alarm system, I’d get one. And you’d better
believe it would be a system with video
cameras. I’d also beef up the door and
window locks, and make sure everything is
secure before going to bed each night.
And what if offline harassment starts to
encompass workplace stalking? Tell your
employer about your situation. Your stalker
may attempt to file complaints against your
work or get you in trouble at your work-place. Once notified, your bosses can keep
an eye out for anything odd, such as mys-
terious workplace complaints against you.
Sure, it’s embarrassing, but you’ll need your
staff in the loop for your own safety and
theirs. Pride won’t shield you from someone
looking to ruin your life.
What if your stalker made an anonymous
report to Child Protective Services that you
(and/or your spouse) were sexually abusing
your kids? Your kids would be taken away
from you within the hour. Or what if your
stalker called 911 from a payphone and said
you were making bombs in your home and
you planned to use them tonight? Can you
say “Hello, SWAT team?” Or what if your
ex simply burned your house down? The
bitter truth is that you can’t always predict
how far it will go. Assume this person may
be psychopathic and there are no limits to
their violent compulsions. Collect enough
evidence to get your “ex” locked away if
possible, and try to reassemble your life
with a mindset of personal security.