Stalking is a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear and/or emotional distress. The vast majority of stalking victims are stalked by someone they know, with about 40% being by a current or former intimate partner, and about 42% by an acquaintance.
Stalking is a unique crime in that it involves actions that may seem insignificant or flattering to people who are not involved in the situation but are actually terrifying when you know the context of the situation. Victims of stalking often have to explain to others why something scares, upsets, or worries them. For example, receiving a text message from an unknown number that says, “Have a great first day at work!” may seem friendly to most. However, to a stalking victim who has recently relocated to a new city, gotten a new job, and changed their phone number to escape their former abusive partner, it can be terrifying. To a victim of stalking, this text message could mean that their abusive former partner has found their new location and is somehow monitoring their actions. This is why context is key when it comes to stalking.
Many stalkers combine criminal acts (property damage, trespassing) with legal behaviors (sending gifts or texts). Otherwise legal acts can become criminal when part of a stalking case. View our State Laws: Stalking page for more legal information on stalking.
Surveillance is the most commonly identified stalking tactic and includes watching and gathering information about the victim. Has the offender:
Life invasion describes ways that the offender is showing up in the victim’s life without the victim’s consent. This may include excessive contact, showing up, spreading rumors, and/or sending gifts. Has the offender:
Remember that context is key when it comes to stalking. There are many behaviors that could be intimidating when considering the context of the stalking behaviors and with the victim and offender’s relationship and history in mind. Has the offender:
Stalkers may interfere in a victim’s life in many ways, affecting everything from the victim’s reputation to their employment and/or physical safety. A common and significant consequence is victims losing financial or other resources, which can quickly spiral. Has the offender:
Stalking often escalates over time, and the most dangerous time for a victim tends to be when they distance themselves from the stalker. If you or someone you know is experiencing stalking, visit our Find Help page to find support near you.
We encourage you to keep a documentation log of stalking incidents. This can help identify options to increase safety, tell the story of what’s going on, capture everything you’ve experienced, and assess risk. Save evidence like call logs, voicemails, messages, screenshots, notes, etc.
Stalking information provided by the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC). Learn more at www.stalkingawareness.org
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