The Facts About 

Stalking 

During a 12-month period, 3.4 million individuals over the age of 18 are stalked in the United 

States.2

Three in four stalking victims are stalked 

by someone they know.3

Individuals ages 18 to 24 experience the 

highest rate of stalking.4

Almost half of stalking victims (46 percent) 

experience at least one unwanted contact 

per week.5

The most common stalking behavior reported 

by victims was unwanted phone calls or voice 

messages (66 percent), followed by spreading 

rumors (36 percent), following or spying on the 

victim (34 percent), and appearing at places 

frequented by the victim without having a reason for being there (31 percent).6

One in four victims reports being stalked 

through the use of some form of technology 

(such as e-mail or instant messaging).7

Some protective actions victims took included 

changing their day-to-day activities (22 

percent), staying with family (18 percent), 

installing call blocking or caller ID (18 percent), 

changing their phone number (17 percent), and 

changing their e-mail address (7 percent).8

Resources for Information 

and Assistance

Stalking Resource Center 

National Center for Victims of Crime 

1–202–467–8700 

www.ncvc.org/src

National Network to End Domestic Violence 

Safety Net Project 

1–202–543–5566 

http://nnedv.org/projects/safetynet

National Domestic Violence Hotline 

1–800–799–SAFE (7233) 

TTY 1–800–787–3224 

www.thehotline.org

Directory of Crime Victim Services 

Office for Victims of Crime 

Office of Justice Programs 

U.S. Department of Justice 

http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/findvictimservices 

This product was developed by the National Center for Victims of Crime under 

an agreement with ICF International in support of the Office for Victims 

of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center under contract number 

GS–23F–8182H/OJP–2006F_124. The opinions, findings, and conclusions 

or recommendations expressed in this product are those of the authors and do 

not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department 

of Justice.

Stalking

OVC

HELP SERIES

for Crime Victims

EndnoteS

1

Katrina Baum et al., “Stalking Victimization in the United States,” 

Washington, DC: Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2009.

2

Ibid.

3

Ibid.

4

Ibid.

5

Ibid.

6

Ibid.

7

Ibid.

8

Ibid.
What Is Stalking?

Stalking is a dangerous, potentially lethal, crime. 

Although legal definitions vary from one jurisdiction 

to another, stalking is generally understood to be 

a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person 

that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. 

Stalkers use a variety of actions to frighten, harass, 

and control their victims. Stalking may include 

following a person; driving by a victim’s place of 

employment or school; sending unwanted gifts, 

cards, or e-mails; persistently calling or text messaging; tracking a victim’s whereabouts using technology such as cameras or global positioning systems 

(GPSs); vandalizing property; and threatening to 

hurt the victim, his or her family, another person, 

or pets. 

Stalking is a crime in all 50 states and at the federal level, and it can happen to anyone regardless 

of gender, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic 

status, geographic location, or personal associations. The majority of stalking victims are women 

and most stalkers are men, but men can be 

victims, too. 

Three out of four stalking victims were stalked 

by someone they know; of these, 45 percent of 

stalkers were acquaintances of the victim and 30 

percent were intimate partners.1 Stalking by an 

intimate partner is the most dangerous type of 

stalking. Intimate partner stalkers have considerable 

leverage over their victims because they know so 

much personal information about the victim. These 

stalkers also tend to be more insulting, interfering, 

and threatening than nonintimate partner stalkers. 

Alarmingly, a strong link exists between stalking 

and women who were murdered by their current 

or former intimate partner.

If You Are Being Stalked

As a stalking victim, you may experience a variety 

of emotional, physical, and financial consequences. 

The constant stress in stalking situations is very 

real and harmful, and it can exact a terrible toll on 

victims.

The daily lives of stalking victims are unpredictable, 

and that often makes them feel anxious or on edge. 

Stalking victims may feel vulnerable and unsafe, and 

many say they feel they are always looking over 

their shoulder. Many victims come to believe that the 

stalking is never going to end, which can lead to 

feelings of isolation, anger, frustration, depression, 

and hopelessness. 

Stalking victims often experience trouble sleeping, 

eating, and focusing, or they may have disturbing 

thoughts and flashbacks. Victims often lose time from 

work as a result of the stalking. And some take drastic measures to protect themselves such as moving or 

changing their names. 

If you are being stalked, remember that what is happening to you is not your fault and not caused by 

anything you have done.

Where Can You Get Help?

Every stalker and stalking situation is different and 

unpredictable—what works for one stalking victim 

may not work for another. But there are steps you 

can take to increase your safety. 

First, take all threats seriously and trust your instincts. 

If you feel that you are in danger, you probably 

are. Contact your local victim services agency or a 

domestic violence or rape crisis program. Trained 

advocates can work with you to develop a concrete 

plan to help you stay safe, understand the law and 

your rights, decide whether to seek a protective 

order, connect with other services, and provide 

emotional support. 

Consider telling family, friends, coworkers, and 

neighbors about the stalking, and provide as much 

information as you feel comfortable about the 

stalker. This may help you feel less alone and provide a support network of people who care about 

your safety.

You may wish to report the stalking crime. If so, 

contact law enforcement as soon as possible. Also, 

it is important to document every stalking incident 

as thoroughly as possible. Keep e-mails, messages, 

gifts, and letters. Take photographs of property destruction or physical injuries the stalker has inflicted. 

The stalker may have broken other laws by doing 

things like vandalizing your property or physically 

assaulting you. Law enforcement can use this information to investigate and prosecute the stalking. 

You might consider obtaining a protective order 

or other court order that prohibits the stalker from 

contacting or being near you. Each jurisdiction 

differs in the type of orders that are available. 

Additionally, you may be eligible for crime victim 

compensation for certain out-of-pocket expenses, 

such as medical expenses, lost wages, and other 

reasonable financial needs. To be eligible for 

compensation, the victim must cooperate with the 

criminal justice system. Local victim advocates and 

assistance programs in your community can assist 

you in obtaining a protective order and provide 

you with information and applications for victim 

compensation.