Stalking After Divorce Or Separation

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If you are divorced or separated, you are more likely to become a victim of stalking. On this page, you will find statistics and helpful resources for those who are being stalked by a spouse or ex-spouse.

Stalking Statistics:

According to Justice.gov during a 12-month period, an estimated 14 in every 1,000 persons age 18 or older are victims of stalking. The danger of being stalked is greater during and after divorce. Especially if there is a history of domestic abuse in the marriage. 

  • About half (46%) of stalking victims experienced at least one unwanted contact per week, and 11% of victims said they had been stalked for five years or more.
  • The risk of stalking victimization was highest for individuals who were divorced or separated—34 per 1,000 individuals.
  • Women were at greater risk than men for stalking victimization; however, women and men were equally likely to experience harassment.
  • Male (37%) and female (41%) stalking victimizations were equally likely to be reported to the police.
  • Approximately one in four stalking victims reported some form of cyberstalking such as e-mail (83%) or instant messaging (35%).
  • 46% of stalking victims felt fear of not knowing what would happen next.
  • Nearly 3 in 4 stalking victims knew their offender in some capacity.

If your ex-spouse is stalking you, your first reaction may be to “give it time.” Many men and women make the mistake of thinking that time will take care of the ex’s anger and need to control. Time may take care of the issue but, in the interim it is best to protect yourself. Knowing your state's stalking laws and filing a restraining order are smart moves if someone is stalking you.

Signs Your Ex Is Stalking You:

1.You run into them everywhere you go. To begin with it feels like coincidence, the longer it goes on the more you begin to believe they somehow know where you are at all times.

2. You receive constant unwanted texts and emails from them.

3. You see them drive by your home or through your neighborhood on a regular basis.

4. You have to block their phone number due to the excessive and unwanted phone calls.

5. They continue to send you gifts for birthdays and holidays.

6. When you go out with friends, you turn around and there they are. There is always an attempt to "hang out" casually.

7. They use the family court system to manipulate you by filing frivolous and on-going petitions in court.

8. They "friend" your Facebook "friends." The next thing you know, they are showing up in your newsfeed which tells you you are showing up in their feed. 

9. If the stalking doesn't get the results they wish, they use character assassination to get your attention. For the stalker, if they can't get positive attention they will gladly accept negative attention.