From Lifeline: the Newsletter of the Support Network for Battered Women
18-1, (Fall,1997)

“I Was Stalked at Work”   by Carol Barnett, Staff Attorney, Support Network for Battered Women

“He really knows how to slither,” Patty paused, and then continued, “Yeah, that’s exactly what he does,” she explained as we met at her place of work. I knew I had to meet Patty in person, to hear her story – the story of a woman who had met a man in high school, taken classes with him at a community college, and 15 years later, been relentlessly followed by him at her workplaces.

Patty is a victim of stalking. Her story is all too common. As soon as Patty told her stalker that she was not interested in dating him, he brought her flowers — about three times a week. She would always give the flowers back. He made unannounced visits to her home. When she moved out of the area, he followed her and appeared in her new home one day, talking with her roommate. At one job, he would wait for her outside the store for hours and once followed her down to a dark basement when she tried to evade him.

Stalking is defined as the willful, malicious, and repeated following or harassment of one person by another. Within this definition, the stalker makes a credible threat with the intent to place the victim in reasonable fear for his/her safety. Unfortunately, action is not often taken. Though Patty filed a report with the police, it was determined a closed case and not elevated to the level of stalking. The police have not yet determined that Patty fears her perpetrator. The Support Network is now working with Patty and the local police to take the matter seriously and to address the potential of stalking.

Patty’s employer is supportive but does not know how to help her. Her supervisors listen and watch out for her and have taken initial precautions both for Patty’s safety or for the safety of the company.

Patty, unlike many, will not get fired as a result of the stalking that she continues to endure. She is lucky that she has a compassionate workplace environment. All too often, though, victims of stalking are perceived as “disrupting” the workplace, and are terminated from their jobs.

In fact, stalking behavior happens often and represents an “overflow” from violence in the home. Approximately 90% of domestic violence survivors have experienced some form of stalking behavior, a natural progression and continuation of a batterer’s power and control.

Patty has not been identified as a “stalking victim” per se. She has, however, with dignity and valor, survived 15 years of unwanted harassment and uninvited intrusion into her life. She feels angry and frustrated. However, Patty finds strength from family and friends — and now, the Support Network for Battered Women.

© 2000, Support Network for Battered Women

The Support Network is an active participant in national domestic violence in the workplace efforts and educates Bay Area businesses on the connections between domestic violence and the workplace. For more information on this program or to organize a speaker in your workplace contact the Community Education Department at (408) 541-6100 or communityed@snbw.org