In this interview, Proctor explains the who, what, where, why and how, of stalking and teaches you what to do if you find yourself an unfortunate victim.

Mike Proctor (MP): Teen stalking is really no different than any other type of stalking except that a teenager is being stalked.

First, I think we should clarify what stalking is in general. The California Penal Code defines stalking as: "Every person who willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows or harasses another person and who makes a credible threat with the intent to place that person in reasonable fear for his or her safety or the safety of their immediate family is guilty of the crime of stalking."

Most anti-stalking laws are similar in definition. Stalking of high school and college students is on the rise. Recent studies have borne out these increases. Unfortunately, in the realm of high school stalking, less credence is placed on a teener being stalked because incidents involving young people are often treated as "puppy love" or "just infatuation" situations that will fade away in time.

MP: Cyberstalking is the use of the Internet to harass and or threaten a target. One of the best Internet websites going to get information on cyberstalking is WHOA or Working to Halt Online Abuse. An online search under teen stalking will give the searcher some new articles on what cyberstalking is and how to stop it from taking place.

One of the things we are now seeing is a process we call stalking by proxy. This is where someone on the net puts out information on a target that falsely accuses her of wanting to be involved in some type of unwanted sexual activity. These stalkers post this information on rape or sexual assault websites so that those that frequent those sites will begin making unwanted contact on an unsuspecting victim. At times, the poster places the victim’s name, address, and photo on the net. The intended victim then gets people coming to one’s home to attempt acts they believe the victim desires.

MP: There are all types of stalkers in the world. They may ply their trade differently depending on the mental make-up. The simple answer is when the attention that someone is giving you becomes strange, bizarre, and something you really don’t want. Stalking may start out as the perpetrator sending gifts, letters, etc. These may change to more threatening and unusual contacts with the target. The stalker shows up everywhere the victim is, he or she contacts her friends to keep tabs on her. He begins to follow and conduct surveillance, etc.

MP: We find that they can vary. However, many are reclusive, have low self-esteem, crave attention, more often over weight or somehow feel they are unattractive. There are those that are attractive, but enjoy the attention that the potential predator is giving them, and are extremely naive about predators being extremely manipulative. All victims, however, give way too much information to those they have never or have just met.

MP: This can vary as well. The Internet stalker can be someone your own age that you either know or have a casual relationship with. They can be the Internet predator that is 10 to 20 years older than the targets they are fishing for. The vast majority of Internet predators are trolling for the right young girl or in some cases young boy to fall into their net. Their goal is not just to talk but to make contact. There are stalkers on the net who are looking to make the victim’s life a living hell, through identity theft, false postings, etc. Some stalk even teenagers for the purpose of revenge. Somehow they feel that the victim has wronged them. Unfortunately, there are also a group of teens out there who are the jokesters who just want to mess with a victim for laughs and giggles.

MP: Victims suffer mental and emotional trauma which at times causes them to break down mentally. Some exhibit post traumatic stress syndrome. Some victims keep constantly changing jobs, moving to other towns, because of intense fear. Some remain at home most of the time and refuse to go out. Almost all become distrustful of forming new relationships with potential partners.

MP: A variety of reasons: fear of being ridiculed and not believed, fear that people will tell them it is just an infatuation or puppy love, fear of reprisals from the stalker, fear of actually having to do something like go to trial and suffer more mental anguish.

MP: We always advise teens who believe they are being stalked to notify their parents and encourage their parents to get them to see people who can help them. Contact with the local police department is essential. Talking to therapists and psychiatrists about their situation can help them deal with their fears.

MP: Assure your friend that you are there to help them in any way that you possibly can. Encourage your friend to contact the authorities, and accompany them there.

In one case, I have seen kids band together to assist a shy low self-esteem victim to work with the police to get her violent stalker taken into custody. Ask the help of their parents, and help everyone better understand the stalking phenomenon.

Of course that is one of the primary reasons I wrote How to Stop a Stalker, to better educate the public and to give them the tools to understand stalking and how to cope with the problem when it raises its ugly head.