Stalking laws
I have never been a stalker or a stalkee (as far as I know!). However I do remember when the much-needed anti-harassment laws were brought in that there was a lot of criticism that they were too strict. Not because it meant that a harmless but persistent suitor (faint heart never won fair lady, and all that) might fall foul of laws designed to protect people against the nutters described on these pages. Oh, no. Apparently there were fears that these laws might curtail the rights of journalists and door-to-door salesman to doorstep people! Well, wouldn't that be a good thing?

A friend was persistently stalked by a guy who'd done time for harassment (of someone else) and the police just gave him a warning, despite his having threatened to kill her and physically assaulted her. That, combined with the experiences described here, suggests that the anti-stalking laws aren't very effective. On the other hand, I have heard of people being disciplined at work for relatively harmless comments like "that's a nice dress."

We live in interesting times. Here endeth the lesson.
(eesnahk, Sat 2 Feb 2008, 19:39, 1 reply)

This
is why I feel that the law is unjust.
(Evilweevil is covered in bees, Sun 3 Feb 2008, 0:32, closed)