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 vic-
tims are stalked by someone who is not a stranger; 
Whereas 81 percent of women, who are stalked by an inti-
mate partner, are also physically assaulted by that part-
ner, and 76 percent of women, who are killed by an inti-
mate 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 or-
ders; 
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,
•HRES 82 EH 
and about one in eight lost time from work because they 
feared for their safety or were taking steps, such as seek-
ing 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, cul-
ture, gender, sexual orientation, physical and mental abil-
ity, 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 depart-
ments 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 sys-
tem’s response to stalking and stalking victims, including 
aggressive investigation and prosecution, and to increase 
the availability of victim services across the country tai-
lored to meet the needs of stalking victims; and 
Whereas the House of Representatives urges the establish-
ment 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—
•HRES 82 EH 
(A) National Stalking Awareness Month pro-
vides 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, prosecu-
tors, national and community organizations, and 
private sector supporters for their efforts in pro-
moting awareness about stalking; and 
(C) policymakers, criminal justice officials, vic-
tim 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 sec-
tor, and the media to promote awareness of the crime 
of stalking through National Stalking Awareness Month. 
Attest: 
Clerk.