By Esther Lauaki
Sinister stories of men and women who
have been stalked, bullied or cyber-stalked will be shared at an upcoming author talk in Werribee.
Rachel Cassidy, herself targeted by a stalker, will share research and interviews with stalking survivors as well as police officers, forensic experts and lawyers who represent both the victims and perpetrators in her latest book Stalked: The Human Target.
The book, which Cassidy will speak on this Friday at the Plaza library, is a detailed account of the effects of stalking and includes an interview with a convicted perpetrator.
Cassidy, who is the chief executive of the Stop Stalking Now Foundation, is a passionate advocate to create public awareness and change.
“I wrote the book because I’d had a personal experience, plus I knew people who had been through it,” she said.
“It can be a very isolating experience.
“Everytime I speak about it, there are so many people in the audience that come up to me who say, ‘This happened to me and I didn’t know who to speak to about it’.
“It’s so prevalent in our community … I hope that it starts a conversation and creates awareness around the issue.”
Relationship expert Debbie Zita, who was targeted by an online stalker a year ago, said education about what photos and information people share is needed.
“Being able to recognise inappropriate behaviour and shut it down immediately is important,” Ms Zita said.
“We all want to feel loved and connected but if someone doesn’t set a boundary, then there will always be people that cross it.”
Cassidy will speak at the library on Friday, July 19 at 6.30pm.
