How to Get Rid of a Stalker 14 Steps to Banish Them for Good
If you feel someone follows you online or in person, this is the behavior of a stalker. If this is the case, you need to know how to get rid of a stalker.
You may think having a stalker is some sort of symbol for being hot and desirable, but listen, this isn't a joke. Learn how to get rid of a stalker and stay safe.
I had a stalker in high school. He would call me all the time, follow me around school, though I thought it wasn't a big deal, in reality, this is actually a form of stalking. I didn't feel safe and if your safety is ever in question then this isn't a game. You don't want it to get to the point where you have to change your number, move, or quit your job.
How to get rid of a stalker
I know, in Hollywood, if the guy's hot they allow the stalking to be portrayed as him being protective and manly, but come on. In reality, regardless if he looks like a supermodel, creepy is creepy. I once went on a date where the guy said, “he'll never let me go.” Though this could be taken as some sign of affection, he called me a hundred times after. I saw him as being a potential stalker.
So, keep your eyes open. If you already have someone stalking you or becoming an issue, you must handle it as soon as possible. Stalking is not sexy, it's creepy.
#1 Are you in immediate danger? If even for one second you feel that your life is threatened, call the police. Use your pepper spray, run away, and call the police. This is your life, you must protect yourself at all costs. So, when in doubt, act fast. There are different types of stalkers. Honestly, you don't want to take the chance that they “might” do something.
#2 Tell your friends, family, and employer. Everyone around you needs to know about this stalker. If you have a photo of them, send it to your friends, family, and employer. You need to make sure that everyone around you knows who this person is. If you want to know how to get rid of a stalker, you need to understand that stalkers are manipulative, so they may try to go through people close to you in order to get to you.
#3 Try to not travel alone for a while. You may feel caged in and your freedom of movement restricted. However, in this case, it needs to be done. Make sure, whenever possible, you have someone who walks with you when you're out during the day/evening. This doesn't have to be a forever thing, but it does have to happen until this situation is cleared up.
#4 Record everything! This is the most important thing you can do for yourself when you're trying to figure out how to get rid of a stalker. Compile as much evidence as possible showing that this person stalks you. The more evidence you have, the better chance they can be charged with harassment. Build up a case for yourself. Keep all texts, photos, and call logs. If they leave gifts at your house, do not accept them. However, make a note of it.
#5 Switch up your daily routine. Trust me, they know what you do every day. They know where you go to the gym and who you meet up for coffee with. You need to switch up your daily routine. Do not go to your regular spots, at all. Switch gyms, eat lunch somewhere else, and if you go out on a Saturday night, try a new bar.
#6 Watch out for social media. Is your profile on Facebook public? Change it. Make sure you make all your social media profiles as limited as possible. If you share mutual friends with the stalker, make sure you limit their visibility to your social media. Block the stalker from everything and do not accept any friendships from unknown accounts.
#7 Try to ignore them. They're going to try to get your attention constantly. They try different methods to see which one is more effective, but you need to ignore them. The only time you should speak to them is if they physically approach you. Tell them you'll contact the police if they continue.
#8 Is your home properly protected? I don't want to scare you, but is your home properly protected? If this stalker is coming near your personal space, install cameras, lights, and make sure your doors and windows are properly secure. If you have a dog, even better. If you live in an apartment, make sure your building manager is aware of the stalker.
#9 If they talk to you, make your demands known. If they come up to you and start speaking to you, you need to be firm. Do not let them intimidate or manipulate you, because they'll try. When they approach you, be firm and tell them that you do not want them to contact you and if they do, you will contact the police.
#10 Live somewhere else for a while. There's nothing wrong with living with your parents or a friend's house for a while. Just make sure the stalker doesn't know or can't find out where they live. This isn't permanent. But if you feel danger, this helps you sleep at night. If you change your contact information at the same time, it's a perfect transition.
#11 Always have a back-up plan. Whether it's for work or home, have an escape plan. If you're walking in a parking garage alone, you need to think of ways to get out asap. If they break into your house and you're upstairs, how are you going to get out? I'm not trying to freak you out, but I'm being honest with you. You really don't know what they're capable of.
#12 Take legal measures. Do not be afraid to request a restraining order or call the police. Though a restraining order does not put them behind bars *for now*, it does show you have legal support. If this person goes against the law, they'll have legal consequences to adhere to.
#13 Make sure you carry pepper spray with you. Sometimes, you'll have to walk home or to your car alone. I get it, you won't always be able to have someone by your side. In these cases, you need to make sure you're properly protected.
Pepper spray is very reliable, make sure when you're alone you carry it in your hand. If you don't have pepper spray you can rub their eyes with chili flakes. The point is, you need to make sure you distract them long enough to run away.
#14 Change your contact information. I know this is an annoying thing to do, but if they continue to call you, change your number. When you do this, make sure they also don't know where you live. If they know where you live, they'll come to you.
Think about it, if you change your number, they can no longer contact you. Obviously, they won't be happy. But you need to do this. However, when you do this, stay away from places where they know you usually go.
Now that you know how to get rid of a stalker, you need to take immediate steps in making sure you're safe. Getting rid of a stalker won't be that easy. However, you need to feel free and safe.
