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| Kathleen Baty, an anti-stalking advocate and pioneer |
Good afternoon, Kathy. I can't begin to tell you how much of an honor it is to speak with you. I came across your profile on LinkedIn and Twitter and thought, "I have to talk to her." What can you tell us how you began this journey.
Well, for starters, I was a victim of a stalker. While in college as a cheerleader, I became acquainted with a man who "hunted" me for 15 years. I literally hid in my home and was in fear of my life. You learn a new set of skills when you're being pursued by someone like that.
When did things reach the breaking point?
One day, he gained entry into my home and held me at gun point. He told me to get in the garage where he had meticulously laid out tools for what appeared to be my kidnapping. I was shocked because it looked like he had been in there for a while. I did everything I could to "humanize" myself. During this, my mother happened to call and was alerted something was wrong. Thankfully, she called the police and told them something was wrong. Because of this nightmare, I had been working with them for years in trying to catch the perpetrator. Just as we were going out to his car, the police arrived. I can remember the police drawing down on him and seeing an officer who was standing a short distance away. I ran to him as soon as I could.
Would you say this was a catalyst to get you to lobby for stronger anti-stalking legislation?
It was. What also helped my cause was I an excellent communicator and could put a face to the crime. I began working with U.S Congressman Ed Royce. With his help and the tragic events surrounding actress Rebecca Schaefer, the first national anti-stalking law was enacted. It provided stiffer penalties for stalking and clearly defined what it was for the first time. There had never been a law which outlined what it was. That's what made stalking so hard to prosecute. Law enforcement officer couldn't arrest someone for simply following you around.
Weren't you also instrumental in helping LAPD develop their Threat Management division?
I was one of a few advocates and other law enforcement personnel who were among the first to start it up. I provided a lot of useful information from a victim's standpoint. It is out of this that in 1992, the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals was founded. Its mission is to share and facilitate the experiences and techniques of professionals in the field of threat assessment and/or threat management. We have partners from every facet of law enforcement and public and private sector security.
What are you involved with now?
I'm still active as an advocate for stronger anti-stalking laws. I also do a TON of public speaking with regards to how women can better protect themselves and take charge of their own personal security. I am a firm believer in "girl power". I hold seminars and workshops for companies and other private organizations who are concerned about the safety of their female employees. I enjoy speaking with the corporate security guys. Many are very concerned about stalking and want to learn what they can do to help their female employees. What I tell them is to be proactive and coordinate as much they can to law enforcement. It also helps to have folks like myself to come in and speak to their employees as to how they can proactive protect themselves.
Speaking of law enforcement, what do you think would help law enforcement in prosecuting these crimes?
Better coordination. Far too often, agencies don't talk to one another enough about cases that may impact one another. For example, when a victim moves from one jurisdiction to another, the information needed to catch and successfully prosecute the perpetrator such as protection orders or even prior law enforcement contacts, is often missed.
Kathy, thanks for speaking with me today. You are a wonderful role model for victims and advocates alike. It has been an honor to speak with you.
To learn more about Kathleen Baty and her work, check her out at http://www.safetychick.com. to learn more about stalking, check out http://www.ncvc.org/src/.
