Stalkers - a reality every adult industry professional should be aware of.

As an adult industry professional (whether you're a pornstar, exotic dancer or webcam girl) you need to be aware that you ARE in the "public eye" and much more visible than than your average everyday person. Essentially you are a sort of "celebrity" and though there are many perks that come with fame and notoriety, there are also a few drawbacks as well - one drawback in particular is that you are often more likely to attract STALKERS.

Adult industry professionals (in my opinion) have a bit more of a difficult time dealing with stalkers than your traditional mainstream celebrity, because stalkers who fixate on pornstars for example, don't just fantasize about their target sexually, they actually have media (videos, online clips, etc) of which they can WATCH their target in what they perceive to be their most intimate moments, which may only fuel the fire they have for the person they're fixated on.

Stalkers who's targets are adult industry professionals often believe they really KNOW YOU because you've turned them on sexually.

Adult Industry professionals tend to be more at risk when it comes to being harassed and possibly attacked by stalkers due to them being more accessible than you're "traditional" celebrity. Adult industry professionals often are not as financially well off as your "A-list" actor or actress, and therefor have less of a "buffer zone" surrounding them.

Also adult industry professionals may not be taken as seriously as their "mainstream" counterparts when reporting a stalker to the authorities due to the negative perception that many people harbor in regards to "sex industry workers".

There's a very thin line which separates a "fan" from a "stalker" and many women (and men) who work in the sex industry aren't immediately aware of the difference, so here are some tips to help you determine who is a healthy fan, versus who is a potentially psychotic obsessed stalker:

Normal fans will send you a fan letter or fan email every once in a while. A potential stalker will attempt to contact you in every way they can weekly or possibly daily.

A potential stalker will research your real name and home address. A healthy fan will not.

Normal fans will state how much they like your WORK and only your work.

Normal fans will generally not approach you outside of an industry event.

Normal fans will not follow you from an industry event or anywhere else.

Normal fans will not constantly try to get you to go out with them.

Normal fans will not try to weasel their way into your "inner social circle" through your friends, acquaintances or professional contacts.

You know someone is a stalker when you tell them to stop contacting you, and they don't respect your request.

Someone who attempts to meet you with the false promise or work or jobs may be a stalker.

Stalkers often times are narcissists who really believe that by entering your life and attempting to befriend/date they are doing YOU a favor. Some stalkers realize that women ESPECIALLY in porn tend to have low self esteem and will exploit that issue within their target. Anyone who attempts to bully their way into your life you should STAY AWAY FROM.

A stalker is a person who become aggressive towards you when you reject their advances.

As an adult industry professional, especially a pornstar you need to be VERY careful that the person you are dating (or friends with) is not in actuality a stalker. I have known several women in the industry who have found themselves dating someone, only later to find out the person had been their fan for years and owned every single one of their porn videos.

Stalking is illegal and in Los Angeles there are actually anti-stalking laws which are in place and enforced.

Here are some links for more information on identifying stalkers, dealing with stalkers, and keeping yourself safe:

Who are stalkers and HOW to deal with them.

How to Deal With a Stalker

Stalkers - Some Basic Advice (Reasons why, personality types, behaviors & characteristics