Domestic Violence awareness month at MGH opened with "Stalking in the Workplace," a talk by Lieutenant Jon Tiplady, of the Danvers Police Department (retired). Lt. Tiplady's talk addressed stalking on a personal level, as well as how it can affect an entire workplace organization.

Every state has a law protecting victims against stalking. Massachusetts law states:

Whoever (1) willfully and maliciously engages in a knowing pattern of conduct or series of acts over a period of time directed at a specific person which seriously alarms or annoys that person and would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress, and (2) makes a threat with the intent to place the person in imminent fear of death or bodily injury, shall be guilty of the crime of stalking... Such conduct, acts or threats described in this paragraph shall include, but not be limited to, conduct, acts or threats conducted by mail or by use of a telephonic or telecommunication device including, but not limited to, electronic mail, internet communications and facsimile communications (MGL - Chapter 265, Section 43).

Penalties range from a fine to a maximum of five years in prison. Lt. Tiplady stressed that the most important thing to realize about this type of behavior is that the goal of the stalker is to cause fear. Victims of stalking are scared, thus action to help them must be met with sensitivity. Lt. Tiplady emphasized we must prepare a coordinated response team to protect victims of stalking. Anyone can be a victim, but more importantly, anyone can be a stalker. A coordinated response team in the workplace will help protect victims of this crime.

Stalking affects all of us because stalking does not only happen on the victim's personal time. It happens when the victim is at work too. In fact, 74% of employed battered women reported being harassed by their husbands or partners in person or over the telephone at their workplace (New York Victim Service Agency: U.S. Department of Labor).

The stalker will often target the victim's workplace because this is a place that the victim cannot avoid, making the workplace the one place he is sure to find her. Lt. Tiplady pointed out that the victim did not ask to be treated in this manner. Stalking is a crime and it should not reflect on the victim's job performance.

Lt. Tiplady explained that there are different motives of stalkers, such as obsession, revenge, vindication, and reattachment. One or all of these motives may be present. Regardless of the intent, the stalker is always trying to establish authority over the victim. Lt. Tiplady stated, "The stalker tries to distort victim's sense of reality through a power trip aimed at controlling her." He told the audience that there are several traits that most stalkers posses. These traits should serve as warning signs.

Most stalkers:

• won't take "NO" for an answer.
• have obsessive personalities
• are intelligent
• have no or few personal friendships and
• lack embarrassment for their actions.

Lt. Tiplady stressed that if you are dealing personally with a stalker, trust your intuition. Establish a clear definitive stance toward the unwanted behavior. Lt. Tiplady stated that the first step is to give the stalker a definitive "No" answer, yet leave him an "out," a way for the stalker to walk away with dignity. For example, when ending a relationship, don't "let him down easy" by pretending to be busy or not returning phone calls. Instead be specific, without humiliating him. Say something like, "This isn't working out. I don't want to see you anymore, but I'm sure there is someone else out there for you."

Lt. Tiplady stressed the importance of never giving in to the stalker's actions. For example, if a stalker calls a person at work repeatedly, do not finally come to the phone after the fifteenth call. That sends a message to the stalker that if he calls the person fifteen times, then she will come to the phone and only encourages the behavior. Instead use a coordinated response; have all calls answered/screened by someone else.

Stalking involves more than just watching and following. It comes in the form of letters, phone calls, faxes, unwanted gifts, damage to property, legal actions, graffiti, and false rumors. Cyber stalking is something that is gaining more prevalence with today's technology. Cyber stalking comes in two forms: (1) materials received by a victim, and (2) material posted about a victim. Lt. Tiplady warned that if you are a victim of cyber stalking there are several steps you should take to protect yourself. Make copies of all e-mails, do not post photos of yourself on the internet, change your passwords, clear your internet usage history (by clicking on "history" in the internet browser, then right click on the day or week and click de-lete), and block unknown e-mail addresses or instant message screen names.

MGH Police and Security offers individualized safety planning for home and work, escorts, assistance with court appearances, and other services as needed. Also, through HAVEN and the Employee Assistance program, a variety of services are available to employees affected by domestic violence, including advocacy and counseling, safety planning for home and work, referrals to community resources, and support groups. These programs are also committed to supporting employees affected by domestic violence through training and education, consultation with supervisors, and interventions.

-Thanks to Lt. Tiplady for assisting with the writing and editing of this article.