Louise’s Story

Louise, 28, has been stalked by Michael, a former work colleague, on and off for six years. They worked together just after Louise graduated and she says that he never asked her out and that she used to invite him along with her friends for lunch as “he was a bit of a loner, but seemed harmless enough, nerdy in a way”. Michael would always come along with Louise’s group for lunch but would rarely speak. Louise began spotting Michael in unexpected places and started to become suspicious. She says “I would see him at the supermarket and then maybe later that day I would be 15 miles away visiting my sister and I would see him again”. After a few such occasions, Louise asked Michael what he was doing and “he said that he was making sure I was OK, and that I needed him around, and that I should just ignore him. I found this really strange and was quite scared so I started avoiding him at work. But now I keep seeing him almost everywhere I go. It is so horrible.” Louise has complained to the police on several occasions but the case has so far been unable to go forward “because the police say there is no evidence!!!”. Louise says that the effects are becoming greater, the more the stalking continues: “I am not myself anymore. I rarely go out. I have lost friends. I look awful. I feel sick and scared all the time. I am always tired and I am so frightened and so lonely.” Louise cannot see her harassment ever ending and says “most nights I wish he would attack me. Hit me and leave a mark so that I can finally get this evidence that they want and end this nightmare.”