ESPN's Erin Andrews Lobbies Congress for Tougher Stalking Laws

I can feel for Andrews but I also worry about the flip side. I had an ex put a restraining order on me with no proof. She did it to be cruel and manipulative. The whole thing was a lie to hurt me, my children, my career, and my reputation. The stupid judge just granted the thing with no proof. I think if they put tighter stalking laws in place they better have concrete proof that the person is actually doing the stalking.

People can be put under stress for many many reasons.. that doesn't mean they deserve a huge sentence just because the victim wants vengeance. Two years in prison is plenty for a non-violent offense.

You can't throw people in jail for a decade just because they've hurt your "delicate psychological state."

Most people have been harassed at some point in their life.. the majority just rectify it and get over it, instead of acting like someone deserves manslaughter charges because of intimidation. You aren't children, so stop acting like it.

Stalking an individual can cause permanent mental injury to the victims. These people committing these stalking crimes should be punished more severely and those that violate judicial orders should be put away. We do not have enough jail space except for hardened criminals, so sentences for lesser crimes are minimal. Cyber stalking the newest type and when caught, the individuals need to be made an example to others. If not jail, then to psychiatric confinement or outpatient and if violate terms, put them in jail. Most persons committing civil and criminal crimes say they are sorry when they get arrested, but in reality they are sorry because they got caught. Due to this overcrowded local/state and federal prisons/jails, many of those apprehended are given a “slap on wrist” and told not to do it anymore.

To all the people who are attacking Erin, it's obvious you've never been stalked and harassed. I had it happen to me twice. The first time was in college. I dated a guy my freshman year and broke up with him near the end of the year. He followed me around campus, watched whatever I was doing, cornered me at parties and events to try to force me to get back together with him, and he read my e-mail. I went to the cops, and they sent the case to the student court on campus! The student court did the best they could for me, banning him from membership in any student organizations I belonged to and from entering my dormitory. I went into a deep state of depression that summer while I was home. Meanwhile, he spent the whole summer telling everyone I know intimate details about me I would never want anyone to know. I came back, and he started up again, even logging onto the computer and dropping all my classes. I could not prove it was him, and it only stopped when he met someone new and forgot about me. Amazingly, she lived on my floor and he was not allowed to go there. I've always wondered what line he fed her to explain that one.

The second guy was several years later. Once again, we dated and I broke up with him. He started calling me repeatedly, leaving long, ranting, rambling messages on my voice mail because I would no longer answer my phone. He made several threats against me, and I got scared and moved across the city so he would not be able to find me. He continued harassing me on my cell phone and through e-mail. Eventually, I got help from a close friend who was a lawyer. He basically threatened to keep my ex locked up for eternity. His threats were meaningless, but luckily my ex knew nothing about the law and was scared off. From what I hear, he still rambles about me in his blog. And as much as I wish he'd stop, I've decided if that's all he's doing, I'll let it be.

Both of these incidents left me scared, miserable, and unable to trust my own judgement. I did nothing wrong and I got all kinds of punishment heaped on me. So if a high profile stalking victim wants to use her celebrity to shine some light on the issue of stalking, I am all for it. If the law could have protected me better, I would be a much happier person now. I support Erin testifying before Congress, and if they would like me to testify as well, I'd be happy to join her. Until it happens to you, you can't possibly know how it feels. And my cases were not the worst ones. At least neither guy was violent. What if they were? might not be posting this.

I see that a few people are bringing up the point that she was wearing revealing costumes on Dancing with the Stars. That was her choice, though. It wasn't her choice to be stalked and to be secretly video taped while undressing. How would you feel if your privacy was completely violated in a place that you thought was safe?

Stalking is a horrific psychological crime committed on an innocent and often unsuspecting person, sometimes ending in tragedy. I have been stalked and sometimes it is very hard to prove to others. My stalker has occasionally entered my home and left traces he was there, yet very subtle. I have been stalked on the computer as well and through the phone lines. In my case, I found it very hard to find a lawyer who will take the case. They want physical proof in almost all instances and someone who is psychologically stalking you often is clever and there is not alot of proof. It upset me that these lawyers don't take on the case because they feel these cases take up alot of time and energy and as in Erin's case, often end up with small penalties. It seems the lawyers are more interested in the money they will make than the person's welfare. What is one to do who is the victim? Many stalking cases can go on for years before the perpetrator is caught, and can even end in death for the victim. I think the legal system needs to take this crime more seriously and the penalties should be much harsher with the criminal spending time in a psychiatric facility for some time as well. Otherwise, when they are released, the crime will be repeated. Again, another crime against mostly women that is not taken seriously even by the police, the legal system, and society. It can cause emotional instability, trauma, mental anguish, nightmares, and even depression in the victims. Nobody should have to live this way. Much more has to be done. Speak up for each other women. We need to gather together to make change so desperately needed.

First, the best thing and the worst think about adding comments here is that they were not cleared by an editor. Back on track- Andrews is such a sniveling whiner...and how much time is a non-violent offender supposed to get for what I believe is his first offense. And why in the world did her case deserve an appearance before congress. I am sure there rea more deserving cases than hers in which women were stalked, recorded and then attacked or killed...but Andrews who simply was recorded getting dress commands the time of the nations lawmakers. She certainly was not so traumatized that could not appear on Dance with the Stars. I had never even heard of her until this incident. Although her privacy was obviously violated, financially be recorded naked by her stalker was the best thing that ever happened to her. She can complain all she likes but she could not have planned this better herself had she tried.

Erin Andrews: "I hate all the attention this 1-1/2 year old incident is giving me, so I'll keep talking about it non-stop to whoever will listen. But I want to get on with my life"

Yeah right sweetie, get over yourself and move on. The guy is being punished and you're just an opportunist (DWTS, etc). Your 15 minutes will run out soon enough.

It is as it has always been. When the rich and or beautiful have a problem that needs the attention of the police or the justice system, they get it. For the poor lady that isn't a cover girl who goes in her Walmart or thrift store garb to the police to explain her uncomfortable and possibly dangerous situation, she is most likely told that until this person actually tries to harm her, there is little they can do. Of course those with the least to lose, the poor, are the most likely to act upon their threats. The wealthy, well-connected and those with celebrity, are less likely to put their freedom in danger to pursue their more evil thoughts. To my knowledge, this man sent to two years for stalking Miss Andrews never threated her life. How fortunate for her to turn this unpleasant experience into a publicity treasure trove. Never knew who she was until Dancing with the Stars. Those costumes werern't exactly what Mary Ingalls of Little House on the Prairie would don. Humm. Freedom and justice for all. Sounds like a good idea. Wish it were more of a reality. Good night to all.

I have to say Erin was wronged and has every right to very upset. I also think the punishment was more than adequate and Erin should see a shrink about being seen naked. I mean who is she ? , the Holy Grail of feamale bodies ? She needs to get over it and get on with it, a life I mean.