LB DISCUSSION REPLY

Question

REPLY TO THE DISCUSSION BELOW 150 WORD COUNT REQUIRED WITH SCHOLARY REFERENCE

Chanel has been sent to a domestic violence agency because she is confused about her situation. She does not see herself as being in any danger. Chanel needs to know that the definition of stalking is “a knowing, purposeful course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear bodily injury or death to himself or herself or a member of his or her immediate family” (Wallace & Roberson, 2014, p.430). She needs to be made aware that Robert’s continued phone calls and texts more than ten times per day, even though Chanel keeps blocking him, is harassment. She should be made aware that the use of the internet or other forms of communication to harass a victim considered cyberstalking (Wallace & Roberson, 2014).

Chanel needs to know that Robert’s acts of following her to shopping centers, restaurants, and movie theaters to accuse her of lying to him about her activities, and the aggressive behavior he exhibited by sitting on the hood of her car and grabbing her and trying to put her in his car was both intimidation and an attempt to cause her to be afraid if she did not concede to his wishes. She needs to be made aware that his actions include knowing that he is trying to cause her to be fearful of injury, that he is acting purposefully, and that he is following a course of conduct that is defined as stalking. However, should she decide to take out a restraining order on Robert, she should know that although this type of order would prohibit Robert from further contacting her, oftentimes it may cause an offender to retaliate, making the situation worse.

Chanel has stated that Robert has never actually hit her, but she needs to be reminded that Robert’s intentional ramming into the back of her car was meant to cause harm to her. It will also be necessary to inform Chanel that her underlying anxiety about what Robert will do in the future and her trouble sleeping is directly related to Robert’s stalking behaviors.

In order for Chanel to prepare a case against Robert, she will need to keep detailed documentation of any incidents that may be related to Robert’s stalking. She should take screenshots of his repeated texts to note that he has changed his number again. She needs to make a note of who was around to witness events so she can use them as witnesses later. She can also petition businesses to release surveillance videos as proof of the harassment (OutrageUs.org, 2018, 02:16). She will need to also file a complaint with the police department that includes all threats and incidents experienced. She could take photographs or videos of his harassment with her cell phone. And, to be safe, she should put the phone numbers of support services such as domestic violence hotlines and shelters in her contacts list in case she needs them (Office on Women's Health, 2018).

Details
Purchase An Answer Below

Have a similar question?