Stalking is a Big Yikes 😬 & Why We Gotta Take it Seriously, FR

The Real Deal

Alright, listen up, fam. Stalking is straight-up not okay. Like, it's when someone keeps bugging you, doing stuff you don't want, and it makes you low-key terrified for your safety or the safety of your squad. It messes with your mental health, makes you hella paranoid, and just ruins your whole vibe, y'know?

The problem is, a lot of times, people don't take it seriously enough. Maybe they think it's just someone being "romantic" or whatever, but that's sus. And the law? It's kinda trash at dealing with it. It's hard to prove someone's stalking you, and even when you do, the punishments aren't always that major. The Canadian Anti-Stalking Association's aiming to address the weak laws.

And let's be real, stalking ain't just some random thing. It's often about power and control, especially when it's someone you used to be with. Intimate partner stalking is most likely to turn deadly, so we need to be extra careful about that.

Some people shared their stories, and it's rough out there. They're dealing with cyberstalking, physical stuff, and just the constant fear of what's gonna happen next. It's wild how hard it is to get help, especially if you're from a marginalized community. Some people don't trust the police.

So, what can we do? We gotta educate the next gen about gender-based violence, change the way we think about relationships, and empower potential victims to see the red flags early on. We gotta push for better laws and make sure people who are being stalked get the support they need, no cap.

New Brunswick passed Bill 17, the Disclosure to Protect Against Intimate Partner Violence Act, which lets the police share information about a partner's history of violence to inform potential victims, so let's hope other places catch on.