Are you being stalked? Stalking is a serious crime that can lead to dangerous situations. A stalker is a person who gives you unwanted attention repetitively. A stalker’s behavior is persistent and obsessive. Until we are the victim, it is hard to comprehend the nature of a stalker.

I just finished participation in an honors seminar course called Dare to Be Aware, where we learned about the depth of a stalker’s mindset. A key point I took away from that seminar and what I want to share with you today is prevention.

Ideas to prevent a stalker situation are: notify a supervisor, carry a cell phone, install alarm systems, always lock your car and house, check the backseat to make sure no one is in your vehicle, travel in groups, carry a whistle or high-decibel alarm device, change your locks annually and be cautious or carry a weapon. If you are not trained how to use the weapon it could be taken away and used against you by the attacker.

Most importantly simply be aware of your environment and take precautions in order to feel safe and prepared to take action. Another important piece of advice I picked up from this class is the importance of being unpredictable.

If you continuously have the same daily routine, you leave yourself open as an easy target. Think of when you are running errands or going to the gym. Are you always running into the same people?

This can also be applied to campus: not always sitting in the same spot in the library, not always parking in the same place, changing up which sidewalks you take, or switching up where you sit in lecture. These are all easy steps that can make you less noticeable to others.