Bullying

Bullying vs. Stalking

Many people think that bullying and stalking is the same thing when in fact they are very different. Both stalking and bullying can greatly affect a person both mentally a physically and can be life threatening depending on the course of action of the perpetrator.

“Stalking is knowing a purposeful course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear bodily injury or death to him or herself or members of immediate family. “ (Wallace p. 355) Stalking can be a very serious and even life threatening crime depending on the extent in the stalker. A stalker varies in different races, ages, motivations and is directed to a specific person. There are various types of stalkers that can be cyber stalking, gang stalking, relationship stalking. Is cyber stalking where the stalker may install a type of spyware to the computer of the person they are after. Cyperstalking is usually through the internet where stalkers try to contact the victim in an unsolicited fashion. All have very similar characteristics and behaviors of a stalker. A stalkers intention could vary due to many different circumstances much like when an ex breaks up with someone they stalk the person because they still want to be with them and maybe want to seek revenge or closure. Stalking behaviors can come in many different ways from continuous phone calls, emails, sending unwanted gifts, following one from place to place. In some cases stalkers may threaten to take legal action against the other party or even say they are going to commit suicide, anything that forces contact with the alternate party. Stalkers will often make up lies to weaken their victims support group or bring down the victim or even forcing the victim to call them or see them.