Stalking is a Form of Intimate Partner Emotional Abuse
Stalking rarely stands alone in the abuser’s arsenal of abusive tactics.
It is intimidating to be watched all the time. When your partner has their eyes on your location, who you’re talking with, what you eat, what books you’re reading, who you follow on social media, and how you spend your time, it is invasive and can be frightening. Stalking is an aggressive act meant to control you.
In an ongoing intimate partnership, it is unlikely that the abuser will stop their stalking. Talking about it with them, expressing how it makes you feel, will likely only fuel their behavior and feed their supply derived from stalking.
Instead, take passive measures to protect yourself:
Keep important records with you
Refrain from checking messages from your partner throughout the day; check them all at the end of your work day or at a specific time each day.
Leave your phone at home sometimes. Consider getting a burner phone to keep with you for emergencies.
If you’re being stalked in your relationship, it is obviously an unsafe relationship. Consider creating a safety plan and an exit plan. Having a coach walk you through strategic safety steps will be beneficial. Reach out to trusted friends or family, and stay grounded in your focus on safety.
xo, Denalee