Predators Survivor Hero

Angela Shelton created a multi-award winning documentary about her painful past and learned of similar stories of abuse from other women with her same name, in Searching for Angela Shelton. This movie is a story of courage, hope, personal strength, and struggle for answers and healing.

Angela stated that, "Searching for Angela Shelton started, in a way, by accident when I was doing research on women with the same name as my own."

She started by calling various Angela Sheltons all across America. Angela was curious about their lives and wanted to know:

1. Where each Angela Shelton was located

2. Who each Angela Shelton was and

3. Where each Angela Shelton was headed with her life

In speaking with these women, Angela discovered that 70% of the women with her same name were also survivors of abuse. Angela is a survivor of abuse and spent time in a foster home as a child. She struggled with the fact that so many women from all different races, locations, and economical status, share this common thread of pain. So, in making this movie, she has started a kind of movement allowing women the freedom to not hide away from their pain but face it head on in order to allow the healing process to begin. Angela now speaks to women all over the country about abuse and stands in the face of all perpetrators to let them know that she and other survivors are not going to be shamed, quieted, or fearful any longer.

This Angela Shelton is not afraid to stand up for the truth. She knows that surviving her own abuse was just the beginning of the war she was about to fight. We can only say that the world would be a better place if only there were more Angela Sheltons…

Angela Shelton Day is Nov. 6th in Asheville, NC so it makes perfect sense that Angela Shelton should be recognized this month with the Predators.tv Survivor Hero Award. To learn more about Angela and her touching movie, you can visit: www.angelashelton.com or www.searchingforangelashelton.com

Are you a Predators Survivor Hero? Do you know someone that was a victim of crime and has moved beyond his or her situation to make a difference for others? If so, we want to hear from you about this true survivor! Please send your suggestions to us via our Contact Us page.

November Safety Strategies
By Jeff McKissack

Thanksgiving is a time for appreciating what we have been given and look for ways in which we can give to those around us as well. This brings to mind yet another favored tactic of criminals, the Assistance Lure. According to police, this is the #1 lure used in cases of rape, abduction and other violent crimes. It is simply asking help of a person or offering assistance to someone.

As you are out shopping for Holiday gifts or food, there are many kind strangers that you will pass that may seem in need of help in taking things to their car or they may also offer you aid by assisting in taking things to your car. While 99% of these individuals will be Good Samaritans caught up in the spirit of the season, just be aware of those smiling faces that ask for or offer help during this time of year. In particular be aware of your surroundings and available help/witnesses should you need them. Stalled cars, flat tires, damsels in distress, etc… are all regularly used in these types of scenarios. Remember, asking for or offering assistance most often comes from good-natured people who truly want to help, but just be sure and listen to your instincts…carefully!

Let's make sure that your safety is another thing you are "giving thanks" for this year!

For more information please visit www.defensebydesign.com.

Stopping Stalkers
By Michael Gulyas

Stalkers can be stopped, but you must have three main ingredients to help make this work:

1) The victim or victims must keep and handover all possible evidence to Law Enforcement Officers. This is the most important part of the formula. Quite often, victims will destroy the evidence because they have stopped contact with the stalker. Victims hope this tactic will send a message to the stalker that they are no longer interested in that person. The problem remains because the stalker now believes he or she has to do more to get and retain their victim's attention.

2) Victims must, and I repeat must, stop any and all contact with the stalker. If there is a child and/or property disputes then Law Enforcement Officers and the Courts have to handle these matters. By giving in and contacting the stalker (or allowing the stalker to communicate with the victim) this works to the victim's disadvantage. Now the stalker has a firm conviction, in his or her mind, that the victim still wants them.

3) The victim or victims must have a Law Enforcement Officer on their side investigating their case in an aggressive manner. If the Officer is not aggressive then the problem persists and the victim feels lost and helpless. This causes the victim to violate items 1 and 2 (listed above). Should the victim's revert to violating the first two items, it is unlikely that the Prosecutor and/or the Courts will ever hear or try their case.

In the following portion of this article is a true story of a stalking victim that adhered to all of the above items. The case was tried and the stalker was convicted. This is proof positive that the above listed information is accurate and stalking cases can be won. continued...

Survivors Corner

Thank you for writing - we love hearing from you! Each month we will post your thoughts and suggestions for healing in this section of the newsletter.

"Know that because of your background, the "red flags" that would normally warn a person about areas, circumstances, or individuals that could be dangerous have been muted in you. Therefore, you have to listen more intently and trust that little voice deep in your gut more so than most. You have learned to live around the muck, you are comfortable with those situations and individuals who may be bad for you. You need to learn to love yourself first and then be gentle with yourself, knowing that you deserve goodness, love and honor."
Karen, a survivor of incest and domestic violence

If you have something to share, please send it to us via our Contact Us page.

Do you have a question or comment about a particular type of crime? to the Predators Crime Prevention Specialist - Retired Officer Carl Duke!

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