There must be something in the water out in Hollywood because the stalker trend is coming back with a vengeance. Celebitchy reports that actress Alyssa Milano has filed for a restraining order from disturbed fan Jeff Walker, a 54-year-old resident of Santa Cruz, California, who Milano refers to as “an obsessed and mentally unstable celebrity stalker fan.” The story goes on to state that Milano has reported multiple incidences of harassment, with reports of Turner breaking into her home and obsessively trying to contact the star.  Milano has also asked for protection for her family as she states Turner “believes he is close personal friends...” If you want something to completely creep you out this afternoon, the post contains videos of Turner being filmed stalking singer Tiffany as part of a documentary.

This is another report of stalking in recent news, with Paula Abdul’s 17 year stalker Paula Goodspeed committing suicide outside her Los Angeles home in November and Jennifer Garner sought a permanent restraining order against Steven Burky, a man who has been stalking her since 2002 and whose actions had gotten so obsessive and dangerous that he reportedly showed up at her house and said, “God has sent him a vision of her being persecuted in some manner that may result in her death.”  This is undoubtedly in reaction to other famous Hollywood stalker cases, some of which turn deadly; One of the most extreme was actress Rebecca Schaeffer's crazed fan killing her in 1989.

What does this have to do with love?  Anyone who has ever been the object of unwanted affection and obsession knows how uncomfortable and scary it can be and you don’t have to be famous for someone to develop a fixation on you.  This type of behavior can occur inside and outside of a relationship with the person. As a single woman, you can see the signs more readily: the guy that won’t quit calling, emailing you and showing up at your house unannounced.  As a married or taken woman, it can start as displays of jealousy where they isolate you from your friends and family, call you multiple times a day because they have to know where you are at all times, and basically seek to possess you. Where this seems like love, if it reaches a level where you know you do not feel safe, contact the authorities and make all necessary steps to remove yourself from the situation. It does not have to reach the level of a restraining order or worse but don’t be afraid if it does.  You have the right to live your life and do not let the actions of others falsely imprison you.

We want you to be safe and happy in your love relationships. Be happy, have fun but be careful out there.