Stalking Safety Planning

Asafety plan is a set of suggestions, strategies, and responses to help victims reduce their risk of harm. It is tailored to each person’s situation. A good safety plan considers what is happening now, past behavior by the perpetrator, and steps that can improve the victim’s safety going forward.

Although no safety plan can guarantee 100% safety, it can help with:

• Keeping victims safer,
• Documenting what the perpetrator does,
• Making the environment more secure, and
• Identifying people who can help.

Yes, you can create your own stalking safety plan. But trained professionals—like victim advocates or law enforcement officers—can help. These professionals can help you choose the best options for your safety and create a plan based on your unique situation. Victim advocates work in domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, and victim services programs in prosecutors' offices or law enforcement agencies.

When planning for safety, think about:

• What you know about the stalker,
• Who can help you,
• How to make your environment safer, and
• What to do in an emergency.

Stalking cases may take time. So safety planning should start as soon as stalking behavior is identified—and continue as long as the stalking does.

Update your plan regularly, especially as the stalker’s behavior or your routines change.

Keep a log of all stalking behaviors. Include emails, texts, and voicemails.

Keep any gifts, letters, or other items the stalker sends. These may be collected and used as evidenceif you decide to go to the police or apply for a protective order.

• Keep a phone nearby at all times—ideally one the stalker has never accessed.

• Memorize emergency numbers and use speed dial for 911 and trusted contacts.

• Take all threats seriously and report them to the police.

• Change your routines and avoid going places alone when possible.

• Shop at different stores and vary your routes.

• Get a new phone number, and let the old one go to voicemail so messages can be saved as evidence.

• Avoid interacting with the stalker, even if it’s tempting to respond.

• If complete disengagement isn’t possible (like if you share custody or go to the same school), talk with a professional while safety planning.

• Consider getting a stalking protective order.

• Trust your instincts—if something doesn’t feel safe, leave or find ways to make it safer.

If you are in immediate danger, somewhere safe. Options include:

• A police station
• A friend or family member’s home (if the stalker doesn’t know the location)
• A domestic violence shelter
• A place of worship
• A public area where others are around (some stalkers may be less inclined toward violence or creating a disturbance in public).

• Plan escape routes from your home, and teach them to your children
• Install solid-core doors and deadbolts. Change the locks if needed
• Use a code word with your children to signal when to leave quickly
• Tell trusted neighbors or apartment staff about your situation. Give them a photo of the stalker and ask them to call the police if they see them
• Pack a “go bag” with important items—like your stalking log, phone, a camera, and any information about the stalker. Keep it in a safe place or with someone you trust

• Share a photo of the stalker with security and trusted coworkers or classmates.
• Let your supervisor know about the situation—they can help you stay safer.
• Ask for someone to walk with you to your car or the bus
• Save any messages or emails from the stalker.
• Give schools or daycare centers a copy of your protective order and ask them not to release your children without checking with you.
• Teach your children to tell a trusted adult at school if they see the stalker.
• Tell school and work not to share your contact information with anyone.
• Keep a copy of your protective order at work.

Stalkers often use technology to harass, track, or threaten victims. Here are some common ways:

• Online harassment: Using emails, chat rooms, social media, or forums to threaten or insult
• Doxxing: Posting your private information (like your address) online
• Flooding: Sending lots of messages or harmful software
• Spyware: Installing programs on your computer to secretly track you
• GPS tracking: Using your phone or placing a tracker in your car. This is illegal in Texas.

Some victims find ways to make stalking affect them less by:

• Asking someone else to pick up their mail
• Using a second phone number, shared only with trusted people
• Asking coworkers or classmates to screen calls or alert the police if the stalker shows up

Support from friends and family helps reduce isolation and can improve safety.