Predators Survivor Hero

Anyone can be vulnerable to the devastating crime of stalking. But no one knows that more than retired police Detective Mike Gulyas. For over 12 years, Gulyas worked as a stalking and domestic abuse specialist. Many survivors of domestic abuse and stalking regard him as a hero.

In 2002, Gulyas learned first hand the devastating effect that stalking can have on one's life. The stalker began his pursuit of Gulyas, while this detective was investigating a domestic situation. The stalker took his anger and frustration out on Gulyas and started filing complaints and false accusations against the detective. The stalker also filed for Temporary Restraining Orders against Gulyas (in another county in California) and continually listed a false address where the Restraining Orders would be heard by a magistrate. Gulyas eventually found the correct court and the matter was dropped when it became evident to the magistrate that the stalker was trying to manipulate the courts.Mike Gulyas' reputation was, and still is, held with the utmost regard and respect so he did have concerns that anyone would take this situation seriously. However, even after the stalking conviction, this predator continued his harassing and aggravating behavior towards Gulyas. From jail, the predator began a barrage of insulting mailings to Gulyas's Internal Affairs Unit and Chief of Police. These mailings included accusations that the detective had been going to Tijuana, Mexico having sex with young boys and girls.

Predators's criminologist/psychologist, Dr. Eric Hickey, explains "making false accusations is common in many stalking situations. The stalker's goal is to isolate and control the victim." Through endless letters and false accusations the stalker tried to damage Gulyas' reputation and destroy his freedom. Gulyas had seen this behavior in other stalking cases but now he found himself the victim of this painful and frustrating crime. According to Gulyas, "This stalker went so far as to accuse me of selling drugs, using drugs, and having sexual contact with the stalker's own 6 year old son. These were the repeated claims that the stalker used and continued until I retired."

Gulyas states, "The key to a conviction in any stalking situation is found in one word: Evidence, Evidence, Evidence. Turn all evidence over to law enforcement and file criminal reports each and every time the stalker commits a crime or you think a crime is committed. Stop all contact with the stalker. Period. No exceptions. If you have friends in common with the stalker stop all contact with them as well. These friends in common may think they are trying to help by giving information to the stalker, but that only works against the victim. Stalking victims need to keep their wits, stay cool, and positive during a stalking situation. Finally, if you feel that your safety is in jeopardy: Relocate and do it quickly. You may have to leave behind property, home furnishings, personal items, etc. but at least you will be safe."

Today, Mike Gulyas is retired from law enforcement. He is currently the owner of his own consulting company. He provides training in the areas of Domestic Violence, Stalking, and Strangulation. Gulyas was recently listed on the Office on Victims of Crime web site as a spotlighted consultant. He will soon become a national trainer for the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Mike maintains a positive attitude and continues to work to make difference in the lives of many other victims. In April 2007, the stalker in Mike's situation will be released from jail; however, Mike states that there is a plan in place should this stalker start his pursuit again.

For training and consulting services, or if you are a victim in need of help, Mike Gulyas is available at: copsontherun@cox.net

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.

Finding Your Voice

To women who have been assaulted, abused, invalidated, dismissed - there is the feeling of invisibility, of disempowerment as a voice of one's own integrity and authority. To these women and for an affirmation of personal power, I offer my experience and perspective as a woman jazz singer, recovering from an illness that took my voice away, even to speak. I share with you what presents itself as the inability to be heard, safe in the world, protected by one's own statement of I AM.

What's left after an illness, an attack (whether from without or within) is the sense of loss of that I AM-ness. Where is my place? What happened to my life - Who I knew myself to be - How I knew myself? All of that is gone. And yet it is in that letting go of all of it - the identity, the familiarity, the safe haven of what passed as us - is the mustard seed of a deeper knowing...a kernel of core truths that started very early and was trained out of us - by society, by roles we were to assume, by lack of support and affirming.

Now, in the darkness of knowing nothing can emerge a voice that speaks with more resonance - more overtones of dreams and hopes and aspirations. The undiscovered self emerges. The emptiness, silences, stillness become alive. The relationship with ourselves becomes richer, more connected. We are our own best friends. And in hearing THAT voice, we ARE!

Janet Lawson, Adjunct
Professor of Vocal Jazz at the New School University

Learn to Question "Authority"

One of the most effective lures used on television years ago was pretending to be some type of "authority" figure (police, fire, medical, ministerial, etc) in order to con someone into helping or going with us to a car, van, etc.

This lure is still very much alive and well today. The other night I heard on the news that a woman (yes, you read correctly) was pulling male drivers over pretending to be a police officer (in uniform) and robbing them. Also, in December, a news station in Memphis, Tennessee reported that hundreds of uniforms and credentials from the Transportation Security Administration have been "lost." Fifteen were from Memphis and Nashville with over 80 reported missing from Atlanta. We need to ask ourselves especially in a climate of international terrorism "who" would want these credentials and "why"?

Recently, NBC's Today Show featured a segment on professional hackers under contract from bank chains that were breaking into banks and stealing not money, but information and identities. How did they do this? Not at gunpoint as you might guess, but by dressing up as Pest Control with fake business cards and walking right into the most secure and sensitive parts of the bank without an escort from bank employees or security, taking all they wanted by way of information.

We unfortunately need to teach our kids at a very early age that just because someone produces a badge, business card or wears a uniform, this does not always mean they are who they say they are. Use television shows to illustrate the point. The actors on TV that portray firemen, police, FBI, etc are great illustrations to kids how someone can look like, sound like, and act like an authority figure, but simply be an "actor/actress" playing a role. Criminals can also be very good actors to convince us to do what they want or go with them without resistance or questioning.

Point being, child or adult, we all need to rethink our blind adherence to authority figures. Learn to listen to your instincts and ask questions. No true authority figure is going to mind calling for backup, producing a marked car, or having you call their station (not with the phone number "they" give you, by the way) to verify their identity. Either way, it is worth your time to investigate further.

Jeff McKissack
www.DefenseByDesign.com

Gang Safety

DO NOT CONFRONT GANG MEMBERS. If you see them breaking the law, call the police. Do not get involved in altercation with them. Set up a community watch program, NOT a community vigilante program. Let the police get into a confrontation, your role is to WATCH and REPORT any crimes in your neighborhood to the local police.

Report any criminal activities from a safe distance, do not put yourself in a dangerous situation that may cause you to get hurt or killed.

If possible, when reporting a crime to the police, give the following information:

Number of violators
Descriptions: Height, weight, color, clothing, sex, age
Make/Model/Color/License of vehicle, (if one is used)
Location of the crime
Description of the crime
If the violators leave the scene, the direction they ran off

(AGAIN: DO NOT CHASE THEM. YOU MAY ACTUALLY CATCH THEM AND GET HURT OR KILLED.)

"Combating Gangs through Education and Knowledge!"
Capt. Don Larimore, Gang Investigator
John R. Lindsey State Jail

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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