PORT TOWNSEND — One fall day in downtown Port Townsend, Anna Nasset was creating a window display at her gallery, Artisans on Taylor. When a man appeared with a painting under his arm, she felt the briefest hesitation before opening her door — and her world — to the one who would become her stalker.
Over the coming years, Fraser Rotchford preyed on Nasset, harassing and stalking her until she sold her gallery. That was in 2013, when Nasset was 33. A sign in the gallery window read “Reinventing my life. Stay tuned.”
She has done so, after a long struggle. On Monday, Nasset, now a survivor, activist and author, will launch her debut memoir, “Now I Speak: From Stalked to Standing Up.”
She’ll give a reading and hold a discussion from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Northwind Art’s Jeanette Best Gallery, 701 Water St. Admission is free.
“Her story is terrifying, courageous and so inspiring,” said Teresa Verraes, Northwind Art’s executive director. Verraes, who owned Artisans on Taylor before selling it to Nasset, has known her for many years.
After losing her gallery, Nasset left Port Townsend and moved to Vermont. Rotchford found her there, and continued stalking her, sending her messages she said grew increasingly frightening.
Rotchford, then 37, was finally arrested and prosecuted in August 2019 in Port Angeles, where he lived at the time. He was convicted of felony stalking in violation of a protection order and felony cyberstalking, the Peninsula Daily News reported.
After hearing a victim impact statement, Clallam County Superior Court Judge Brent Basden sentenced Rotchford to the statutory maximum of 10 years. The standard sentencing range was 13 to 17 months.
This outcome and her experiences have motivated Nasset to found Stand Up Resources, which works with law enforcement and other organizations to educate people on victim-centered and trauma-informed practices. Nasset teaches people about the importance of recognizing stalking, getting help, and advocating for oneself and others.
“Because [my stalker] received one of the longest sentences in our nation’s history, I knew I needed to do something with my freedom and make sure that I used my experience to educate people on the crime of stalking, as well as push for stronger sentences. I can’t be the exception. This needs to be the standard,” Nasset said.
For more information about Nasset’s organization and her book, visit www.standupresources.com.
