IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 960 

Expressing support for designation of January 2010 as ‘‘National Stalking 

Awareness Month’’ to raise awareness and encourage prevention of stalking. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

DECEMBER 9, 2009 

Mr. POE of Texas submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 

the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for designation of January 2010 as ‘‘National Stalking Awareness Month’’ to raise awareness 

and encourage prevention of stalking. 

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

in the United States 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 one-fourth of victims reported having 

been stalked almost every day; 


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•HRES 960 IH 

Whereas 1 in 4 victims reported that stalkers had used technology, such as e-mail or instant messaging, to follow and 

harass them, and 1 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 jobs, obtaining 

protection orders, relocating, and changing their identities; 

Whereas 1 in 7 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, 

and about 1 in 8 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, the United States Territories, the 

District of Columbia, and the Uniform Code of Military 

Justice; 

Whereas there are national organizations, local victim service 

organizations, prosecutors’ offices, and law enforcement 

agencies that stand ready to assist stalking victims and 

who are working diligently to craft competent, thorough, 

and innovative responses to stalking; 


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

aggressive investigation and prosecution, and increase the 

availability of victim services across the country tailored 

to meet the needs of stalking victims; 

Whereas, 2010 marks 10 years in which the Stalking Resource Center has increased national awareness of stalking and enhanced local responses to stalking victims 

through training over 35,000 law enforcement, prosecutors, victim service providers, and other community 

stakeholders, and provided assistance to jurisdictions 

working to enhance their stalking laws; and 

Whereas January 2010 would be an appropriate month to 

designate as ‘‘National Stalking Awareness Month’’: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘National 

3 Stalking Awareness Month’’ to educate the people of 

4 the United States about stalking; 

5 (2) encourages the people of the United States 

6 to applaud the efforts of the many victim service 

7 providers, law enforcement, prosecutors, national 

8 and community organizations, and private sector 

9 supporters for their efforts in promoting awareness 

10 about stalking; 

11 (3) encourages policymakers, criminal justice 

12 officials, victim service and social service agencies, 

13 colleges and universities, nonprofits, and others to 


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1 recognize the need to increase awareness of stalking 

2 and the availability of services for stalking victims; 

3 and 

4 (4) urges national and community organiza5 tions, businesses in the private sector, and the media 

6 to promote awareness of the crime of stalking 

7 through ‘‘National Stalking Awareness Month’’. 

Æ 


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