H. Res. 82 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

February 3, 2009. 

Whereas in a 1-year period, an estimated 3,400,000 people 

in America reported being stalked, and 75 percent of victims are stalked by someone who is not a stranger; 

Whereas 81 percent of women, who are stalked by an intimate partner, are also physically assaulted by that partner, and 76 percent of women, who are killed by an intimate partner, were also stalked by that intimate partner; 

Whereas 11 percent reported having been stalked for more 

than 5 years and 1⁄4 of victims reported having been 

stalked almost every day; 

Whereas one in four victims reported that stalkers had used 

technology, such as e-mail or instant messaging, to follow 

and harass them, and one in 13 said stalkers had used 

electronic devices to intrude on their lives; 

Whereas stalking victims are forced to take drastic measures 

to protect themselves, such as changing their identities; 

relocating, changing jobs, and obtaining protection orders; 

Whereas one in seven victims moved in an effort to escape 

their stalker; 

Whereas approximately 130,000 victims reported having been 

fired or asked to leave their job because of the stalking, 
2 

•HRES 82 EH 

and about one in eight lost time from work because they 

feared for their safety or were taking steps, such as seeking a restraining order, to protect themselves; 

Whereas less than half of victims report stalking to police 

and only 7 percent contacted a victim service provider, 

shelter, or hotline; 

Whereas stalking is a crime that cuts across race, age, culture, gender, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, and economic status; 

Whereas stalking is a crime under Federal law and under the 

laws of all 50 States and the District of Columbia; 

Whereas there are national organizations, local victim service 

organizations, prosecutors’ offices, and police departments that stand ready to assist stalking victims and who 

are working diligently to craft competent, thorough, and 

innovative responses to stalking; 

Whereas there is a need to enhance the criminal justice system’s response to stalking and stalking victims, including 

aggressive investigation and prosecution, and to increase 

the availability of victim services across the country tailored to meet the needs of stalking victims; and 

Whereas the House of Representatives urges the establishment of January 2009 as National Stalking Awareness 

Month: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That— 

(1) it is the sense of the House of Representatives 

that— 
3 

•HRES 82 EH 

(A) National Stalking Awareness Month provides an opportunity to educate the people of the 

United States about stalking; 

(B) all Americans should applaud the efforts of 

the many victim service providers, police, prosecutors, national and community organizations, and 

private sector supporters for their efforts in promoting awareness about stalking; and 

(C) policymakers, criminal justice officials, victim service and human service agencies, college 

campuses and universities, nonprofits, and others 

should recognize the need to increase awareness of 

stalking and the availability of services for stalking 

victims; and 

(2) the House of Representatives urges national and 

community organizations, businesses in the private sector, and the media to promote awareness of the crime 

of stalking through National Stalking Awareness Month. 

Attest: 

Clerk.