Stalking is an intense, stressful experience that can erode one’s sense of security, peace, and comfort. To protect yourself, you can review what you can do if a complete stranger is stalking you and speak with a Cook County domestic violence attorney.
Watch Attorney Thomas T. Glasgow discuss stalking no contact orders on YouTube and TikTok
What Is Stalking?
Stalking is defined as “a pattern of repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, contact, or any other course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.”
Just as an example, if someone repeatedly sends unwanted messages and texts to you, and these messages/texts are of a romantic nature, then this would be one example that would be considered stalking.
Several other situations and circumstances can be, and often are, considered stalking.
No matter what, though, the essence is always the same: unwanted attention, harassment, or contact – among many other possibilities – that is repeated and unwanted.
How Can You Protect Yourself From A Stalker?
There are two types of orders that you can get to protect yourself from a stalker. The type of order you get is dependent on the relationship that you have with the person who you are alleging is stalking you. The first is an emergency order of protection, and the second is a stalking, no-contact order.
The best way to protect yourself from a stalker is to obtain an “emergency order of protection.”
An emergency order of protection is an order that, when obtained, protects you from the actions of the person stalking you. And, if the person highlighted within that order continues to stalk you, they will be arrested.
Even though an emergency protective order is the best way to protect yourself from a stalker, there is one thing to know: you cannot obtain an emergency protective order if the person stalking you is not:
- A person you are, or were, in a romantic relationship with.
- A person you share children with.
- A person you are related to.
- A person you are currently living with or that you have lived with.
You can learn more about emergency protective orders and their limitations by clicking here.
You can read the section below to learn how to protect yourself from a stalker who does not belong to the categories outlined above.
How Can You Protect Yourself From A Stalker Who Is A Complete Stranger?
The second way to protect yourself from a stalker from someone who happens to be a complete stranger, is to obtain a “stalking no contact order.”
A stalking no-contact order is a police-enforced order that will prevent your stalker from continuing to stalk you. By obtaining a stalking no-contact order, your stalker will be blocked from doing the following:
- Damaging your property.
- Following you.
- Monitoring you.
- Showing up at your work.
- Showing up at your home.
- Threatening you.
- Talking to you.
- Writing to you.
- Coming near you.
- Interfering with your property.
To obtain a stalking no-contact order, you must fill out a petition.
The best way to do this is to work with an attorney who knows how to fill out the petition and, in doing so, how to obtain the stalking no-contact order.
Outside of the above, if your stalker violates the stalking no contact order against them, they can be prosecuted for their crimes.
Get Qualified Legal Help Today
If you need help obtaining a stalking no-contact order, Glasgow & Olsson is uniquely qualified to help you.
When you need an attorney, experience matters. Speak with a Schaumburg attorney today to learn how our experience can get you the results you deserve.