Stalking, Part 1
For the purposes of this blog, we will define stalking as persistently and secretly observing, following, or contacting another person. This includes obsessively seeking and obtaining personal information about another.
Now, a certain amount of investigation of a potential love interest is natural and wise. Also, the thorough investigation of a potential employee (or employer), spouse, potential business partner, roommate, tenant is responsible activity. In each of these situations, one should expect to investigate and/or be investigated.
However, when the process is ongoing and undertaken in secret, i.e., without the other person’s knowledge and/or consent, stalking occurs.
So when does natural curiosity or responsibility end and stalking begin? Unfortunately, judging from my anecdotal evidence and the e-mail messages I receive, some either choose not to recognize these differences or have no idea that their compulsive monitoring is a sign of obsession.
We’ll discuss this further — addressing specific issues mentioned in reader e-mails – starting tomorrow.
