Stalking triggers fear. It creates feelings of insecurity, terror of being alone, and even symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Jamie Coutts, a woman from Vancouver, had a terrifying experience on her way home.
Nai-post ni Jamie Coutts noong Miyerkules, Oktubre 10, 2018
She just finished her grocery shopping and decided to walk home right after.
While walking, she felt like she was being followed.
She decided to look back and found a man wearing a black hooded jacket walking a few feet away from her. She couldn’t take a good look at the man because he was wearing a face mask.
Feeling uncomfortable, she decided to step off the sidewalk.
She tried to get the man to pass her. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.
Instead of walking past her, the man stopped and even stared at her. It was really scary.
When that didn’t work, Jamie directly told that man that he’s getting too close.
Nai-post ni Jamie Coutts noong Huwebes, Marso 18, 2021
She told City News:
“So I said, ‘You are walking too close to me,’ and he just looked at me, and so I just kept walking.”
He just said nothing and continued to walk behind her as if he’s not making her uncomfortable. At that point, the Canadian woman started thinking of a way out.
She pulled out her phone and started recording.
Jamie recalled:
“He didn’t have any fear to him, he followed me knowing people were watching, you can see people kind of looking confused in the video looking at me because I was holding my phone in a way it was in front of me it was obvious to everybody around me and I could see what was happening behind me.”
Fortunately, she came across a group of people who were skateboarding at the park.
Jamie asked the group:
“Do you mind if I sit with you guys? This guy’s literally been following me in circes for like 40 minutes, and I’m recording it.
When the group said yes, she felt a sense of relief. The skateboarders were kind enough to sit with her for 15 minutes.
Jamie called the Vancouver police right after and told them what happened.
Sgt. Steve Addison shared:
“Obviously, this incident is very concerning to us and we take it very seriously. We applaud the victim for doing the right thing and coming forward to police so we can conduct a proper investigation.”
After posting the video, a couple of women reached out to Jamie.
Nai-post ni Jamie Coutts noong Huwebes, Marso 18, 2021
They claimed to have a very similar experience with the same man. Considering that it’s been happening to a lot of women, it’s really concerning.
Jamie did the right thing.
Stalking is a really scary experience. Despite how it made Jamie feel, she figured out the best way to handle the situation.
Angela Marie MacDougall of the Battered Women’s Support Services said:
“Women in situations like this have to do a lot of quick calculations to figure out how to respond to a situation in which they feel threatened.”
With Jamie’s video, she’s able to set an example of what women can do to ensure their safety.
It’s hard to think when you feel threatened. Hopefully, Jamie was able to encourage a lot of women to be more aware of what’s happening around them and to respond appropriately.
See the complete incident in the video below!
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