For stalking

Founder of a self-help group on trial

A 52-year-old leader of a self-help group for toxic relationships is said to have stalked his former partner (symbolic image).

(Bild: Josep LAGO / AFP)

The founder of a self-help group for toxic relationships is on trial in Wuppertal, Germany - precisely because he allegedly stalked his former partner. The public prosecutor's office is accusing him of serious stalking.

For example, the 52-year-old is said to have sent the woman heaps of text messages and emails. According to the indictment, he also tried to make her look bad at their son's kindergarten and her employer. The former partner told the court on Wednesday that he had made her life hell for a year and a half. The two had met on an internet portal in 2018. After the birth of their son, there were problems in the relationship. They separated. The man then began to stalk her.

Accused of theft
Her former partner had suspected her of theft from her employer, the woman said. She is said to have suffered post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the months of stalking.

The man, in turn, denied all allegations. The relationship with her was toxic and terrible. She had repeatedly contacted him and put him under pressure. "If you don't come back to me, you won't see your son again," she wrote to him. He had experienced "pure horror".

If you don't come back to me, you will never see your son again.

Das soll die ehemalige Partnerin dem Angeklagten geschrieben haben.

His former partner was hurt because she no longer had any power over him. As the founder of a self-help group for toxic relationships, he now knows that this behavior is typical. He had also founded the group in order to come to terms with his own partnership.