“This Book Healed Me”: Journalist Dana Nurzhigit Unveils Candid Book on Surviving Stalking

Astana — Renowned Kazakhstani journalist Dana Nurzhigit has presented her new book, Kolenke. 115-1 (“Shadow. 115-1”), in the capital. The piercing narrative is dedicated to the issue of stalking—a problem of obsessive harassment that is rarely discussed openly in society, despite posing a direct threat to human life, Tiek.kz reports.

The author approaches this heavy subject not merely as an outside observer or researcher, but as someone who has personally endured the deeply traumatic experience and devastating consequences of being stalked.

A Law Born from Personal Tragedy

The numbers “115-1” in the book’s title are not coincidental; they are a direct reference to the new, namesake article in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. According to prominent lawyer Abzal Kuspan and Majilis deputy Snezhanna Imasheva, Dana Nurzhigit’s personal advocacy played a direct role in embedding this protective norm into national legislation.

Today, law enforcement agencies issue a strict warning: systematic phone calls, frightening messages, and regularly lying in wait for a victim at their home or workplace are no longer dismissed as “excessive attention.” They are now criminally punishable offenses.

A Practical Guide for Victims

Kolenke. 115-1 serves as both a personal confession and a concrete tool for legal defense. The concluding section of the book features a specialized guide for anyone facing harassment. It details how to correctly identify the early warning signs of stalking, how to properly document and preserve evidence, and how to effectively engage with law enforcement.

“Many People Just Laugh It Off”

During the presentation, Nurzhigit shared harrowing memories of the manuscript’s creation.

“I wrote the first lines in 2023. My mental and emotional state back then was very severe; it is impossible to put into words. But this book healed me. It helped me more than any psychotherapist. I am in no way devaluing the work of the doctors who treated me, and I am grateful to all of them, but the written word is sacred to me, and I am glad I turned to it. I want to urge everyone: take care of yourselves, be cautious, and listen to your heart. I know from my own experience just how terrifying this is,” the journalist confessed.

The author added that the introduction of criminal liability for stalking was a monumental milestone for her.

“When the President signed this law in 2025, I rejoiced not only as one of its initiators, but as a person who knows what this is like from the inside. It is very difficult to explain to others—people often just laugh it off. They say: ‘It’s nonsense, if you ask for help, the police will come immediately.’ No. In reality, it is incredibly difficult for a person caught in the grip of a stalker to even gather evidence. The book reveals many of these hidden details,” Nurzhigit concluded.