Victims of stalking can take control

It happened gradually. First came the controlling behavior and constant contact. Then, after the relationship soured about three years ago, the stalking began.

Her boyfriend put keystroke spyware on her computer to monitor her, gives out her address and phone number as his and shows up at her house, said the 49-year-old Augusta woman, whose identity is being withheld at her request to protect her from harm.

"I moved to get away from all that mess, so I thought it would be OK to come back after a couple years," she said.

The stalking has decreased over time, but it continues. She keeps a log of every contact from the stalker. She also keeps her address and phone number a secret and makes other adjustments.

"I try to always change my schedule," she said. "I never go to the same place, the same grocery store."

Stalking has been thrust into the spotlight recently with the case of Appling resident Mark McLeod, who is facing charges including attempted stalking after he tried to contact Miley Cyrus while the performer was filming a movie in Tybee Island, Ga.

The 54-year-old Mr. McLeod never made contact with the 16-year-old performer, but Tybee police said he sought her out and told officers she was his secret fiancée who communicated with him through secret messages, according to reports.

Cases involving a celebrity and a stranger are rare: Nearly three in four stalking victims know their offender, according to a survey by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Stalking is intended to create fear through indirect contact, such as correspondence or surveillance, according to Georgia law.

The danger is its link to violence.

"Stalking, if unabated, will always lead to some type of violence," said Georgia Superior Court Judge Daniel Craig said.

Judge Craig spent 16 years in prosecution, and he said the numbers of the Justice Department survey didn't surprise him. They seemed consistent with what he's seen in the Augusta area.

The Justice Department estimates that 30 percent of victims identify the offender as a current or former spouse or as someone they have dated or are dating. An estimated 9 percent of offenders are relatives of the victims, and 7.4 percent are friends or acquaintances.

One recent incident filed with the Richmond County Sheriff's Department involved stalking and property damage.

The victim stated in the incident report that a man she ended a relationship with has been following her to work and family members' homes. She said she thinks the suspect has also slashed four tires, busted the windshield and keyed her car, but there were no witnesses. She told deputies she thinks the problem is escalating.

Another woman found a GPS unit taped to the bottom of her car, according to a report in August.

"It happens much more frequently than you know," said Yolanda Bollinger of SafeHomes of Augusta, a shelter for victims of domestic violence.

Stalking is often a component in domestic violence cases, she said. Keeping a log of events, times and locations, in addition to reporting incidents to law enforcement, helps a victim's case and gives them some control.

"For their mental health and stability, they feel like they're in control," Ms. Bollinger said.

SafeHomes offers support groups for victims.

"They no longer feel isolated and alone," she said.

Reach Sarah Day Owen at (706) 823-3223 or sarah.owen@augustachronicle.com.