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Starfishgirl Anti-Stalking Campaign

"As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there is a twilight when everything remains seemingly unchanged. And it is in such twilight that we all must be most aware of change in the air -- however slight -- lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness." ~ Justice William O. Douglas

We are living in that twilight today. Stalking, whether perpetrated by an individual or by a group, is a direct attack on the very core of our being. If you are being stalked, your basic rights promised by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are being violated.

In essence, you are experiencing terrorism which was devised to deprive you of your ability to earn a living, your reputation, your ability to feed, clothe, and house yourself, your dignity, your self esteem, and eventually your life.

Gavin De Becker, a highly regarded national security and crime expert estimates that before our next breakfast, at least twelve women will be murdered by estranged intimate partners. The startling reality is that 76% of these victims will be stalked for at least one year prior to their murders. Experts also estimate that one out of every twelve women in the United States will be stalked within her lifetime.

Authorities compare the experience of staking to torture. Stalkers terrorize victims as a means of gaining control. Stalkers intend to make victims feel depressed, isolated, fearful, devoid of self esteem, and ultimately, completely unable to function. Stalkers will follow victims in relentless pursuit, they will vandalize property, hack into computers, tap telephones, kill pets, and finally, should the above acts of terror fail to render the victim compliant, stalkers will murder.

These relentless attacks have the effect of destroying the victim's trust in her own judgment along with the benevolence of her environment. Because these crimes are well calculated, yet subtle forms of control, many victims have difficultly gathering the evidence needed to prove they are under assault.

This is especially true of serial and vigilante gang stalking victims whose perpetrators have learned to fly under the radar of obvious and easily proven harassment. Many victims are unaware they are under attack until they begin to notice friendships, relationships, and jobs disintegrate for no apparent reason.

Without intervention, the stalker will create a helpless victim whom he can manipulate at will. His way is cleared because of society's lack of or inattention to information, and it's propensity to deny the truth.

Now the victim can be easily and freely harassed with very little consequence to the stalker. These assaults may last many years, and frequently span the course of a victim s lifetime.

In many cases stalkers will murder. However, time and again, exhausted, despairing victims will attempt suicide, develop stress related illnesses, or be institutionalized .

This reality points to the contributory causes of lack of training and coordination in the law enforcement, legal, and mental health professions. Only when these developments have taken place, will victims be properly cared for and stalkers be held responsible for their behavior.

Unfortunately there are very few resources available to assist victims in reclaiming their mental, physical and financial health.

The United States Department of Justice estimates that of all the grant monies given to battered women's shelters, rape crisis centers, and victim s advocacy organizations, a mere seven percent is distributed to stalking victims assistance programs.

Most mental health professionals are completely unaware of the appropriate methods for assisting a stalking victim in healing from her trauma. Furthermore, because the trauma is often times ongoing, healing is not always possible.

Changes in our legal system which would prevent victims from being re-victimized in the courts and by unintelligent police departments are also desperately needed.

Unfortunately law enforcement is sadly lacking the training, inclination and incentive to protect stalking victims. In fact, more often than not, law enforcement is a part of the problem rather than a part of the solution.

Starfishgirl will work to hold police departments accountable to the concerns of stalking victims. We will also work for changes in state and federal laws which will impose harsh punishments on stalkers, as well as fight for the resources and the wherewithal to enforce these laws.

Finally, a massive educational campaign must take place in the United States and abroad. We believe that once the general population is made aware, the public outcry will be enormous. This is what is ultimately needed to mobilize our elected officials to tackle the issue of stalking directly, fearlessly, and pro-actively.

With your help, we will end the terror, anxiety, and shattering grief experienced by the millions of people in this country who are being stalked. And with your help, we can empower victims as they embark on the journey of re-claiming their right to pursue peaceful, joyful, productive lives.

"First they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me." ~Rev. Martin Niemoller

http://starfishgirl-tortureinamerica.blogspot.com

© Shawnna Armstrong and the Starfishgirl Anti-Stalking Campaign, (2004-2010). Unauthorized use, alteration or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog's author and/or owner is prohibited. Excerpts and links may be utilized provided that full and clear credit is given to Shawnna Armstrong and Starfishgirl with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Disclaimer:

Internet communications are not secure. Therefore Starfishgirl Anti-Stalking Campaign will not accept legal responsibility for the contents of this blog. The opinions presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the sentiments of the Starfishgirl Anti-Stalking Campaign unless otherwise stated.

Disclaimer #2

I have a cyberstalker who is unable to respect boundaries. The cyberstalker can 't control himself and regularly edits and destroys my work. Please bear with me while I attempt to resolve this problem.