In this episode, we cover the harrowing five-year stalking ordeal of Fort Wayne mother Dawn Hillyer, whose case exposed the failures of Indiana law to protect victims. What began as a casual connection quickly spiraled into years of relentless harassment, break-ins, false police reports, and emotional devastation—while the system largely failed her. We’ll trace Dawn’s fight for safety, the long-delayed conviction of her stalker, and her journey from survivor to advocate, founding Hiding Hilda and pushing for stronger protections for victims. Plus, we’ll look at new research linking stalking and restraining orders to long-term health risks for women.

SOURCES:

https://www.wane.com/news/stalking-victim-works-to-change-state-law/

https://www.kpcnews.com/news/latest/newssun/article_dac18ef6-6841-5d78-bafc-40057286d0b1.html

https://law.justia.com/cases/indiana/court-of-appeals/2012/02a03-1204-cr-180.html

https://www.pal-item.com/story/opinion/editorials/2015/04/15/view-woman-target-stalker-victimized/25818041/

https://www.nrawomen.com/content/hiding-hilda-the-harrowing-story-behind-her-stylish-ccw-purses

https://www.stalkingawareness.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IN-Stalking-Laws-Statutes.pdf

https://www.wrtv.com/news/wrtv-investigates/new-law-criminalizes-using-tracking-device-on-someone-without-their-knowledge

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/indianapolis/2021/09/10/restraining-order-domestic-violence-indiana-laws-vicitm-protection-how-to-file/7996715002/

https://www.newser.com/story/373470/women-face-potentially-huge-health-impacts-after-violence.html