Stalking-by-Proxy

A well-known form of stalking-by-proxy is the utilization of a PI. While historically thought of as expensive, Gross (2012) notes that in the Scheffer case a PI cost only $250, internet services have opened the door for more user-friendly services. Still, traditional services are likely to be too expensive for most stalkers, ranging up to thousands of dollars, to monitor the movements or track-down the whereabouts of a victim (Mullen, et al., 2009). However, many services are now available through cyber methods for limited fees.

The stalker may enlist their friends or family to participate in their surveillance, monitoring, or phone-call contacts, among other intrusions (Mullen, et al., 2009).

Professionals need to maintain confidentiality, regarding their patients, particularly those in DV/IPV situations. Mental health professionals should not be encouraging or allowing contact. Anyone working with a victim should not contact the stalker, and vice versa. If you are experiencing such a situation, it is important that you inform all staff members that your information is to be kept confidential, such as your phone number, address, work-location.

Religious institutions may be hesitant to feel they are "taking sides." It is important for PPOs to clearly articulate places the victim regularly attends, including religious institutions. Advise leaders in your institution, provide them with a copy of the PPO and a picture, if necessary, report any and all violations.

Stalkers can rent or borrow cars to disguise their presence, their occupation may even provide them with access to a vehicle. This can cause high level of anxiety for every strange car for the victim, not knowing who to expect. Stalkers may even obtain specialized license plates to taunt their victim (Mullen, et al., 2009).

Not only do we now have cyberstalking to contend with, we have cybersecurity to manage. Unfortunately, living in a social-media age, many people post information about their personal lives, private data is plentiful, sometimes for nominal or no fee, which allows stalkers to access information and utilize it by well-intentioned victims.

Even after a victim has moved or changed jobs, stalkers can utilize the court system by initiating criminal or civil charges or complaints against the victim to facilitate a court order by police officers and obtaining their new contact information (Mullen, et al., 2009).

The most common way a stalker employs the legal system is through a phenomenon known as "role-reversal," this is when the stalker claims to be the victim (this can be accounted for by delusions) (Mullen, et al., 2009). This manipulation is an attempt to create confusion and delays within the legal system, as well as further victimization. These instances can lead to "mutual peace orders." 

The court specifically is guilty of this, though it cannot be helped in many circumstances, in the USA, accused (stalker) have a right to confront their accuser (victim). This occurs often during the hearings for PPOs as well as other trials. However, stalkers may also try to utilize their lawyers to contact victims, circumventing PPOs (Mullen, et al., 2009). They may bring civil cases against victims. Additionally, there is anecdotal evidence that stalkers represent themselves during criminal trials with victims, no data has been found on frequency, this may be another intrusion tactic.