Stalking, by its very nature, can feel to a victim as if they have suddenly become prey to a predator. It’s unnerving when our sense of safety and our boundaries have been offended. We are uneasy when we can’t be sure who we can trust.

At best, finding ourselves the victim of an unwanted pursuer can be an annoying hiccup to be dealt with, hopefully in a decidedly effective way, and life for the object of the stalker’s desire can resume a relatively normal life, all the wiser for the experience.

In the extreme, if the victim has truly been reduced to the equivalent to an object in the mind of the perpetrator (most often this occurs in more serious domestic violence situations), it can wreak havoc on the victim’s life, turning it upside down. Famous people aren’t the only ones who can find themselves in this most unwelcome of position. It can happen to ordinary people. Read the Edmonton Journal article for an eye-opening story about Katherine Whitbread, who found herself in that very untenable position, and ended up on the run from her stalker for 20 years.

Particularly in domestic violence and dating situations, there may be many indicators of trouble long before the serious or truly dangerous events begin to occur. We have, in the last 10 years or so, come to understand a great deal more about the nature of stalking and the dynamics at play. We are beginning to untangle the mysteries surrounding the motives for stalking, the personalities of those who stalk and the victims they choose as their prey. This is true no matter what the relationship between the two parties, or absence of relationship, or fabricated/imagined relationship as the case may be.

TAMA Inc. has experience with both domestic violence and stalking situations. All cases need to be evaluated on their own merit. Domestic violence and stalking cases require special handling and TAMA Inc. has experience with these delicate issues. For information or consultation regarding these issues, particularly as they impact a workplace, complete the Request Form. If the issue is urgent call your local police agency or 911.

April 12 – 14, 2004 CBC Radio Morning Edition
“Stalked for 30 Years! The Cathy Kaip Story”
Interviews with:
Victim, Cathy Kaip
Convicted Stalker, Gerry Klein
Stalking Expert: Heather Gray