How To Protect Yourself Against Stalking During A Fort Lauderdale Divorce
When faced with the end of their marriage, one of the spouses may be unwilling to accept what is happening or let go of the relationship. In an attempt to maintain some control over their former partner and the situation, they may begin following you, appearing at your place of work, trolling you online, hacking into your emails, making threats, and other types of harassing behavior.
All of this can be categorized as stalking, and it is a common type of domestic violence. Our Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer explains how to protect yourself if your spouse engages in this or other threatening behavior.
Stalking A Common Problem During Divorce
Couples break up and seek a divorce in Fort Lauderdale for any number of reasons. Some former partners make it a point to remain friendly and courteous with one another throughout the process. These tend to be the exception.
In most cases, one or both of the spouses may harbor grudges and resentment over the divorce or how their marriage ended. This is understandable, especially if you were in a long-term marriage or your spouse engaged in marital misconduct, such as cheating. The important thing is that you find healthy ways to deal with your feelings about what happened and move on with your life.
Some spouses are either unwilling or unable to do so and may resort to stalking their partner in an effort to maintain control and prevent their partner from moving forward. The U.S. Office of Justice Programs (OJP) reports that:
- Close to 3.5 million people are victims of stalking each year.
- In the majority of cases, the stalker is someone they know.
- Former spouses are among the most common offenders.
- Stalking can lead to more violent behavior.
Protecting Yourself Against Divorce-Related Stalking
Stalking is used by abusers to instill fear, manipulate, and maintain control over their former partners. Under the Florida Statutes, it is a form of domestic violence and crime that carries heavy penalties.
If you are being stalked by a spouse or notice signs of potential stalking behavior, take these steps to protect yourself:
- Set all social media to private and block your spouse;
- Inform trusted neighbors and your boss or others in your workplace of the situation;
- Avoid taking your usual routes when conducting daily business or going out with friends;
- Notify the police if you feel threatened or unsafe;
- Get legal help from a Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer who has experience in domestic violence cases;
- Get an order of protection, which can help prevent your spouse from engaging in any further harassment.
Contact Our Office And Request A Consultation With Our Fort Lauderdale Divorce Lawyer
Stalking is unfortunately common in Fort Lauderdale divorce and is often used to manipulate and maintain control of a partner. To protect yourself and your safety, get the experienced legal representation you need from Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer Vanessa L. Prieto. Contact our office to request a consultation today.
Sources:
ovc.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh226/files/pubs/helpseries/HelpBrochure_Stalking.html
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0741/Sections/0741.28.html
