The Fall Risk

In The Fall Risk, protagonist Charlotte initially greets the disappearance of the staircase to her apartment as a welcome relief. Having endured months of stalking from a man named George, to whom she has no connection except that he was once a client at the bank where she worked, she lives in a state of constant fear that has greatly reduced her autonomy, limiting where she can live, work, and socialize. 

According to the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime, stalking is defined as “a course of action directed at an individual that causes the victim to fear for their safety, and generally involves repeated visual or physical proximity, nonconsensual communication, and verbal, written, or implied threats” (“Stalking.” Office for Victims of Crime). While stalking impacts people of all genders, women are disproportionately affected, with the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC) reporting that one in three women will experience stalking in their lifetimes, as compared to one in six men (“What is Stalking: Definition and FAQs.” SPARC). This disparity places stalking within a constellation of gender-based violence that can limit women’s freedom and opportunities.