Two women in Delhi were recently stabbed to death by their stalkers in a span of 24 hours. According to latest data from National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), cases of stalking in the country are on the rise with capital Delhi topping the list. Significantly, a major chunk of people arrested for stalking fall in the 18-30 age group. Why do people stalk? How can you ensure your own safety? Experts state the ground rules

Stay Alert: experts

1 avoid talking to strangers: It’s very difficult to identify a stalker in the virtual world, but in the real world, it’s very important to stay alert. It’s wise to keep strangers at bay. Be selective in choosing friends.  More importantly, it’s always better to walk in groups. It helps. If you are alone, carry a pepper spray or a similar self-defence product for safety.

Archana Tyagi, Spl Inspector General of Police (Admn), Mumbai

2 Don’t share your personal details with strangers: It’s true that mobile phones have become a necessity for all of us including school-going kids. But be selective about sharing your personal details, location and phone numbers. Never share your mobile number in the social media; it’s a porous world out there!

A S Suresh Babu, ex-ADGP, Bengaluru

3 Inform your parents/ dear ones: There are times when a child hesitates to talk about such incidents and keeps it to herself. The thought of “what others will think” forces a child to keep mum. The role of parents is very important here. Tell your loved ones, especially your parents about the problems you face.

Jalpa Thakkar, counseling psychologist, Ahmedabad

4 Counsel ‘Boys’: One of the reasons for stalking is our patriarchal mentality, which cannot take a ‘NO’ from a woman. Boys should be counselled about “gender equality”and how to deal with situations in which they have been rejected. Further, they should be made to understand that if the girls in their class or around wish to be accompanied, say, to a bus stop or home, fearing someone will follow them, the boys should become their protecters instead of thinking that it gives them the licence to take unfair advantage.  

Magdalene Jeyarathnam, counsellor, Delhi

5 Avoid provoking a stalker: Remember a stalker is most likely to be a deranged person. So, if you are being stalked, it’s advisable not to provoke the stalker and aggravate the situation. At the same time, it’s important to inform your parents. Schools should have sessions on dealing with stalkers.

Kanak Shankar Mukherjee, teacher, Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, Kolkata

6 Stay confident: The psychology of most stalkers is far from normal.Do not lose your cool and abuse the stalker as it provokes them. Stay confident and try to avoid him; take different routes if he is physically stalking you; do not go online if he is a virtual stalker.

K Chakraborty, counsellor, Kolkata

Causes of stalking

Rejection or separation; resentment/vendetta/insult; friends developing attraction during studies are some of the causes of stalking according to psychologists.

How schools deal with stalking incidents

If a stalking incident is reported inside the school premises, we check the CCTV camera after the student reports about it. We take the matter to the principal who then takes necessary action. 

Vinoda Harikrishna Rao, vice-principal, The Brigade School, Malleswaram, Bengaluru

We try our best make the child feel at ease so that he/she shares every detail of the incidents in which they have been stalked. We ensure that a child doesn’t feel guilty about the incident. Besides, strict action is taken against the culprit.

Bandita Roy, teacher, DPS, Ahmedabad

Our school immediately informs the parents of the child who is being stalked. We try to escort the student when s/he  after school hours. Building awareness on dealing with the crime works to a large extent.

Padmaja Limaye, teacher, Fr Agnel’s School, Vashi, Navi Mumbai

Our school takes stalking very seriously. If such incidents are reported, we ensure that after proper investigation, strict action against the culprit is taken. We have always encouraged students to share such incidents with teachers without fear. 

Pooja Kapoor, teacher, SBDAV Public School, Vasant Vihar, ND 

The law

In 2013, Parliament made amendments to the Indian Penal Code making stalking — physical or electronic via phone calls, text messages or emails — punishable with 1 to 3 yrs in jail

In Your Opinion, What Is A Good Way To Deal With Stalkers? Leave A Comment Below