Nothing Ever Happens to Them
Systems protect stalkers and sexual predators.
Imagine that a college student spends the better part of a year stalking a college girl. He finds out exactly where she lives and what classes she’s talking. Burrows into her life, despite every signal she isn’t interested in him. Joins all her clubs. Rents an apartment near her dorm.
He keeps arranging to run into her. Strikes up awkward conversation she’s too nice to kill. He preys on her politeness and insecurity.
The girl doesn’t feel strong or safe or confident enough to tell him to get lost. In the guy’s view, this means she digs him.
After repeated rejections, he declares his undying love for the girl. Starts posting about her on social media twenty times a day. Waits outside all of her classes. Threatens her family and friends when they try to intervene. Finally, the girl can’t take it anymore. She transfers to another school.
What happens to the guy? Nothing.
Well, almost nothing. The police question him. They process a retraining order, which he violates every day. Briefly, he gets suspended — but for something unrelated. The guy makes such a production out of his mistreatment, the school readmits him.
