Learn about Abuse
UPDATED March 2, 2010
The Stalking Resource Center defines stalking as a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. Individual acts like making a phone call or sending flowers are not illegal, but when these acts happen in a pattern for the purpose of threatening or harassing someone then this is considered stalking. Each state has its own definition that is usually listed in the criminal or penal code. You may want to check the Legal Statutes on this site for your state, or visit the Crimes page for your state on this website.
If you are a victim of stalking, you might:
_Feel fear of what the stalker will do.
_Feel vulnerable, unsafe, and not know who to trust.
_Feel anxious, irritable, impatient, or on edge.
_Feel depressed, hopeless, overwhelmed, tearful, or angry.
_Feel stressed, including having trouble concentrating, sleeping, or remembering things.
_Have eating problems, such as appetite loss, forgetting to eat, or overeating.
_Have flashbacks, disturbing thoughts, feelings, or memories.
_Feel confused, frustrated, or isolated because other people don’t understand why you are afraid.*
*List taken from The Stalking Resource Center website
In many states, you can file for a restraining order against someone who has stalked or harassed you. Please check the Restraining Order pages for your state on this website to find out if your state has one.
Even if your state does not have a specific restraining order for stalking, you may be able to get one if the stalker is arrested. Since stalking is a crime, the police may arrest someone who has been stalking or harassing you. Generally, it is a good idea to keep track of any contact a stalker has with you. You may want to:
Cyberstalking is term that generally refers to using the Internet to stalk and harass someone. It is also a crime.
If you have been stalked or harassed by email, MySpace, Facebook, or any other way using the Internet, your local law enforcement should be able to help you. If someone has opened up an account or posted something online in your name, this is identity theft - also a crime. Read more on our website about Internet Security and Safety with Social Media.
The FBI may also be able to help you if you have been stalked through the Internet. You can look up your state's field office at www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm. You may call them, as well as your local law enforcement.
You can also contact someone at the National Center for Victims of Crime/Stalking Resource Center at 1-800-FYI-CALL or gethelp@ncvc.org. The Stalking Resource Center has important information on their website about stalking and cyberstalking, as well as safety tips and resources.
If you are a victim of stalking, you might:
_Feel fear of what the stalker will do.
_Feel vulnerable, unsafe, and not know who to trust.
_Feel anxious, irritable, impatient, or on edge.
_Feel depressed, hopeless, overwhelmed, tearful, or angry.
_Feel stressed, including having trouble concentrating, sleeping, or remembering things.
_Have eating problems, such as appetite loss, forgetting to eat, or overeating.
_Have flashbacks, disturbing thoughts, feelings, or memories.
_Feel confused, frustrated, or isolated because other people don’t understand why you are afraid.*
*List taken from The Stalking Resource Center website
In many states, you can file for a restraining order against someone who has stalked or harassed you. Please check the Restraining Order pages for your state on this website to find out if your state has one.
Even if your state does not have a specific restraining order for stalking, you may be able to get one if the stalker is arrested. Since stalking is a crime, the police may arrest someone who has been stalking or harassing you. Generally, it is a good idea to keep track of any contact a stalker has with you. You may want to:
- keep track of any phone calls, drive-bys, text messages, or emails (print out what you can, with headers including date and time if possible) Here is a Stalking Incident Log (PDF) provided by the Stalking Resource Center.
- keep a log of all contact or anything the stalker does that harasses you or makes you afraid at all
Cyberstalking is term that generally refers to using the Internet to stalk and harass someone. It is also a crime.
If you have been stalked or harassed by email, MySpace, Facebook, or any other way using the Internet, your local law enforcement should be able to help you. If someone has opened up an account or posted something online in your name, this is identity theft - also a crime. Read more on our website about Internet Security and Safety with Social Media.
The FBI may also be able to help you if you have been stalked through the Internet. You can look up your state's field office at www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm. You may call them, as well as your local law enforcement.
You can also contact someone at the National Center for Victims of Crime/Stalking Resource Center at 1-800-FYI-CALL or gethelp@ncvc.org. The Stalking Resource Center has important information on their website about stalking and cyberstalking, as well as safety tips and resources.