#TalkingStalking Ep 2: Stalked as a Child, It Still Haunts Her

Camerapeople: Athar Rather and Abhishek Ranjan
Assistant Cameraperson: Shiv Kumar Maurya
Editor: Rahul Sanpui
Producer: Garvita Khybri

“I was stalked when I was in class 5. I could barely understand what was happening around me. But, I was sure that what the guy was upto was wrong.”

So recounts Anamika*, a stalking survivor. Anamika was stalked twice as a child. Both instances continued for a long period of time, leaving an indelible mark on her psyche.

I am sure that as a child I was showing troubled signs while being stalked. Unfortunately, my parents and my sister missed these signs. And now I’m sitting here, just as troubled as I was many years ago.

Despite the fact that the incidents happened many years ago, each of them have moved her to the extent that she is unable to step out of her home without fear. We helped Anamika confront her trauma by inviting her on the second episode of our series on breaking the silence around stalking.

TV anchor Richa Anirudh and psychologist Nivedita Singh heard her out and advised her on the things she could do to overcome her trauma and lead a life free of fear.

It is cathartic to talk about such incidents. And it is important to take some form of counselling to overcome every aspect of the trauma so that it does not haunt you ever again.

Nivedita Singh, Psychologist

Singh also shed light on the mind of a stalker and the signs that parents should look out for in their kids to understand when something is wrong.

Also Watch: #TalkingStalking Ep 1: Cops Turned Her Away, She Turned To Us

Make Stalking a Non-Bailable Offence

Do you know that stalking is a bailable offence under Indian criminal law? This allows stalkers to get bail without serious scrutiny, often putting victims at risk of facing acid attacks, rapes and sometimes even murder.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau, NCRB:

• There has been a 33 percent rise in stalking cases. 4,699 cases were reported in 2014 and 6,266 cases were reported in 2015
• 35 percent of the cases ended in conviction in 2014
• 26 percent of the cases ended in conviction in 2015
• In 2014, 85 percent of the accused were given bail before the investigation ended
• In 2015, 83 percent of the accused were given bail before the investigation ended
• 60 percent of all accused were men between 18-30 years. 2 percent were juveniles between 16-18 years.

This is why The Quint has launched a petition along with Varnika Kundu and Dr Shashi Tharoor to appeal to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to make stalking a non-bailable offence. Sign our petition here.

We’re Listening

If you are being stalked or know someone who is being stalked, do reach out to us. You can email us at [e-mail] or drop in a message at [phone]. You can also call every Wednesday between 5pm-6pm to speak directly with Richa Anirudh.

Let’s break the silence together.