I've encountered both types of stalkers....predatory and the passive. As for the predatory one, police were involved, and I moved 3 times....on another side of town....changed my phone number, changed my working hours, finally after about 6 months, I felt "safe". This type of stalker (predatory), will break into ur home while you are not there, and at times, try to break in while you are there, even disable your car, flatten ur tires, write you threatening letters and notes.
As for the passive one, it took 1 year before I could feel safe about dating other people....he just didn't want to "let go."....and staked out my apartment all the time, phone calls during the night (late)....followed me to the gym. It's very upsetting to anyone when this happens. My advise is to be careful of who you get involved with. And keep your doors locked at all times, change your locks if you don't want to move..get an "unlisted phone number". And never give it out, only to your family, but not your friends until the stalking has stopped.