What You Should Have In A Stalking Kit

Stalking has become prevelant in our communities. States are now taking this crime seriously and are inacting specific laws to protect the one being stalked. Although, law enforcement and legislators are now looking at stalking as a serious crime, we are far from seeing stalking treated as seriously as it should be. Just recently, a young lady was shot to death in a local Taco Bell by her ex-boyfriend who had been stalking her for weeks. She had gone through every legal avenue and had a restraining order in place, but that did not save her life.

We were horrified that the security camera at this Taco Bell had taped the crime as it happened. The camera depicted the frightened woman run in to the restaraunt trying to hide. Then the ex-boyfriend is seen coming into the establishment, waving a gun and jumping across the counter. Then, in the distance, you can hear the popping of the gun as he murders his ex-girlfriend.

Our community was in shock to say the least. Stalking is a dangerous crime that escalates and many times ends in death. This young lady did everything that she could legally to protect herself, but the system is just not taking stalking very seriously. The laws are in place but it is law enforcement and the judical arena that must see to it that this does not happen.

With all that being said, if you are being stalked there are some things that you can do. One thing is to have a stalking kit. The rape crisis center that I work for, provides these stalking kits free of charge to victims. Here is the list of items we provide in these kits.

1. Pepper Spray - to place on your key ring. Have it in your hand at all times and don't be afraid of using it.
2. Disposable Camera - if you see your stalker showing up at work, class, the park, church, etc. use the camera to take pictures of the stalker in these places. This can be used as evidence.
3. Notebook - document, document, document. You cannot document enough. Anything he/she does, write it down with the date and time. Again, this can be used as evidence.
4. Latex Gloves- If the stalker send you a letter, leaves something at work or at home, put the gloves on before you pick it up to keep your fingerprints from the evidence.
5. Paper Sack - this is to put any evidence in that you have collect (while wearing the gloves of course).
6. Cell Phone - even if the cell phone has no minutes, you can still use it to dial 911 in the event of an emergency.

Always keep these items with you, in your car, gym back, book bag, anywhere you go.

You will also want to save any emails or text messages the stalker sends you. If the stalker leaves messages on your answering machine or voicemail, save those too. Have your friends and family document if the they see the stalker in areas where he/she is not supposed to be. Make sure they date and time their documentation.

If you have a standing domestic violence petition or restraining order, anytime you see that the stalker is violating the order, CALL 911. Tell the dispatcher that you have a standing DVP or restraining order and the stalker is violating the order and that you are in fear of your safety. Do not open the door to the stalker if he/she is at your house.

If you have not filed one of the protective orders mentioned above, you need to do so immediately. Contact your local domestic violence shelter or rape crisis center and an advocate will be more than happy to go with you to your courthouse and assist you in completing the forms. This advocate will also go with you to any and all court dates related to the situation. You do not have to deal with this by yourself. There are people our there that are trained and willing to help you.