He sent me to the hospital after I told him to “Get Lost!”

Worried High School Girl, New York

This past year was my first year in high school. Admittedly I was very nervous about it due to the fact I am a very quiet girl with a few good friends.

Now I’m not quite sure when I started to notice that this boy (whom is 3 years older than myself) was watching me a lot. After a couple of weeks he had found out my E-mail and Cell phone number and was always trying to be in contact with me, and was asking about where I was going and with who. It continued to the point where he left messages playing love songs on my phone, or him saying how depressed he was when he didn’t see my face. I started to really freak out when he started to show up at the places where I was (even my doctor’s appointments).

I was told by my friend that I am too nice because I hadn’t told the guy how much he was scaring me with his questions, and I never told him to go away. Finally I worked up the nerve to tell him I wasn’t interested after he snuck up behind me when I was on my way to the bus, picked me up and started to carry me away! (Boy was I happy my two friends were there).

But he didn’t listen, and he tried to be close to me whenever he could in school. He even dated the girl with the locker next to mine! He left notes in my locker saying he missed talking to me and was always sitting near me or trying to touch my arm.

I got mad and told him to “Get lost!” again.

The very next day I was sent to the hospital due to the fact that in gym class he hit my face with a soccer ball, resulting in a concussion. He told people it was my fault. But after that, everyone in school saw what was going on and helped me to stand up to him (the teachers were close to useless without proof).

Over the next few months there has been little to no contact between us. But last week I got an email from him saying again how much he misses me and how sorry he is. His friends also sent me emails saying the same thing (they had done so in the past, urging me to go out with him as well).

With the new school year approaching, I’m wondering if he will ever go away.

I personally commend this young lady for taking a stance, speaking out and understanding her concern; but now she must know her options and what she can do to STOP HIS STALKING. SHE WAS ALSO ASSAULTED! Once you’ve been a victim, you know how life-destroying stalking and assaults can be. There are no easy answers to her concerns or questions. First and foremost, a victim should always think about her safety.

Unfortunately, the above experiences (stalking and assault) are extremely common with our young people. Our young people must be educated about stalking - STALKING IS A CRIME! ASSAULTS ARE A CRIME!

Yes, this is a wake-up call for parents everywhere – it is YOUR (“RENTS”) RESPONSIBILITY to be sure that your daughter(s) receive proper education in order for her to protect herself. She must learn awareness, how to recognize the warning signs of abuse and assault as well as what she can do to protect and ultimately defend herself if physically assaulted.

It’s high time for our school administrators and teachers to get their heads out of the sand and make classes on Personal Safety mandatory. What does a volley-ball or badminton class do for a child? What do these classes teach our young ladies about health relationships, that they have rights and what they can do about them? Personal Safety education and training is a distinct part of LIFE SKILLS. Parents is YOUR responsibility to be your child’s voice; take a stance, fight for YOUR child and be sure that she gets the proper training that she so rightly deserves. And, if the school systems won’t do something about it – IT IS YOUR DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO DO IT ON YOU OWN. Do not let your child down in any way.

I have been blogging and posting about Stalking Signs, Awareness and Safety Tips all month in observance of Stalking Awareness Month. Truthfully, every day should should be an internal check about every awareness. Focusing on just one month a year of any specific cause is so minuet as the EPIDEMIC of assaults on females are off the charts.

This is no longer a taboo subject – we are talking about YOUR CHILD, your innocent child who does not have this “life skill” unless you assist her to obtain it. Isn’t she (they) worth it? Aren’t you as a female/mother worth it?

Girls – I encourage each and every one of you to be YOUR voice. Ask for education, training and ultimately how you can realistic defend and EFFECTIVELY (the key word) yourself if you are ever put in a position that you have to FIGHT BACK.

Take care and STAY SAFE!