Driven out of my hobby by a stalker

[DonnyOsmondsTeeth]

Earlier this year, I decided to pick up an old hobby again.
There are several local meetups that occur each week in different venues for this particular hobby, and through a friend I met a man who I thought was nice and normal.
We decided to work together on an activity and went to a couple of the groups together, also I went to his house and met his wife.
He then started sending me strange emails, asking for sex, saying he was in love with me and that we should be together...I rebuffed him as gently as I could, and told him I only wanted a friend and a hobby partner (I am married with 2 young children).

He then started sending abusive emails, facebook messages, accusing me of sleeping with all the other men in the group (it is a male-dominated hobby). I cut him off, blocked him and haven't responded to his messages for several weeks now.

Now he has gone from only being an occasional participant, to attending every single meetup, going to any new group meet that crops up, and also sending messages about me to my friends. He has been warned off by three separate well-meaning friends, and my DH! But he still persists with this behaviour.

Now I can't go to my hobby groups at all, it's really important to me and I feel I've been hounded out for being female. I've never met a man who has had to deal with this type of intimidation.
Don't know what I want out of this post really.
Just want to vent about it. If you read this, thank you.

[ButThereAgain]

I second the strong suggestion that you speak to the organisers of your meetings to be sure they know what is happening and see if they have given adequate thought to policies that should be in place for this sort of harassment.

An organisation I have an association with had a problem of this sort and although individuals there were very well intentioned indeed, the impression I got was that they had never got themselves together to face the issue decisively. People knew as individuals there was a problem but hadn't approached it as a group. The poor woman felt driven away from the organisation, and lost something that was of great value to her. With hindsight, the group felt devastated by its failures.

[Isoscelesnorks]

Oh so someone who is known to harass people is allowed to attend all bar two meetings per week/month? I really don't think this is on. You need to make it clear to all leaders that you have been subjected to continued harassment at these events. You should be able to attend free of harassment so what are they going to do about it? Your probably not the only person to be subjected to this mans behaviour but speaking up about it as a reasonable request may help other people.

[Italiangreyhound]

Can you get a restraining order so he can't go to the activity and you can? He has tried to drive you out. Maybe a warning will be enough but I would involve the police.

[DonnyOsmondsTeeth]

SolidGoldBrass, you've hit the nail upon the head there. He does have form for this as it turns out.
I have spoken to some of the others and there are at least 2 meetings at which he's persona non grata. So I'll be attending those and will give serious consideration to contacting the police.
Will check out that book, thanks for the tip.

[scallopsrgreat]

"It's quite likely that this man already has form for stalking/harassment: people don't suddenly start behaving like this after having lived ordinary harmless lives."

Agree.

If anyone is interested or has this problem Gavin De Becker's Gift of Fear is very good on stalkers and what to do about them. It is mainly US based but the same principles apply.

[PoundlandClareRayner]

What a strange, and very frightening, man

he sounds unstable, OP, and I second (or twentieth) the suggestion that you speak to the police

What he is doing has finally been acknowledged as a crime and he deserves to be punished for it

[SolidGoldBrass]

Yet another vote for informing the police. It's quite likely that this man already has form for stalking/harassment: people don't suddenly start behaving like this after having lived ordinary harmless lives.

And do talk to whoever's in charge of the hobby group, as it's also possible that you are not the only woman within the group who has had trouble with him.

Unfortunately it is possible that the group leaders will be unhelpful; there is, sadly, a culture in some groups of defending predatory men and telling women to stop making a fuss. However, if he has not been involved with this group for very long they might decide it's not worth the hassle of allowing him to remain a member. Or, of course, they might be lovely people who kick him out immediately.
Best of luck and remember none of it is your fault.

[NicholasTeakozy]

Buffy :o Well played there.

I agree with those who have advised involving the police, just so it's logged and they can warn him off.

[Isoscelesnorks]

I'd also let the people in charge of your hobby know about your concerns and ask them what the policy is on this type of behaviour. Then tell them you want to keep attending at x times so will need them to help monitor said policies. Don't go hiding your problems or fears. You have done nothing wrong and should be able to attend without fear or harassment.

[LiveFastDieOld2]

Yes go the police who will, at the very least, offer the man "words of advice". And I know this because it happened to me not long after I left school. I didn't give the tenant even the slightest encouragement but it got quite nasty.

[Isoscelesnorks]

I'd go to the police. He needs to be stopped. It's not acceptable for him to do it to you and it's not acceptable for him to move on and find a new victim. As many people as possible in Authority need to tell him this is not acceptable behaviour. If he is banned from your hobby because of it then so be it.

[NandH]

What on earth is with all these weird men threads this evening! Sorry about the possible loss of your hobby, I know it would be hard and I'm being hypocritical for saying this as I would stop attending my hobby too but what if you were to stand your ground and show this arse hole your a strong woman and will not tolerate his behaviour or him attempting to push you out of the group!!!

[Justfornowitwilldo]

I wouldn't have any contact with his wife either. Police first.

[OctopusPete8]

I would tell his wife, poor woman,

I would seriously consider talking to the police he sounds like a loon!

[WoTmania]

yup, would agree about just calling the police so there is a record there if he kicks off in future.

[edam]

YY agree with Buffy, make sure you do log it with the police in case he does this again.