Stalking

This article is about stalking in general. For online stalking, see Cyber stalking.
"Stalker" redirects here. For other uses, see Stalker (disambiguation).

Criminal law
Elements
Scope of criminal liability
Severity of offense
Inchoate offenses
Offense against the person
Sexual offenses
Crimes against property
Crimes against justice
Crimes against the public
Crimes against animals
Crimes against the state
Defenses to liability
Other common-law areas
Portals

Relationships
(Outline)
Types
Genetic or adoptive
By marriage
Partner(s)
Intimate and sexual
Activities
Endings
Emotions and feelings
Practices
Abuse

Stalking is unwanted and/or repeated surveillance or contact by an individual or group toward another person.[1] Stalking behaviors are interrelated to harassment and intimidation and may include following the victim in person or monitoring them. The term stalking is used with some differing definitions in psychiatry and psychology, as well as in some legal jurisdictions as a term for a criminal offense.[2][3]

According to a 2002 report by the U.S. National Center for Victims of Crime, "virtually any unwanted contact between two people that directly or indirectly communicates a threat or places the victim in fear can be considered stalking",[4] although the rights afforded to victims may vary depending on jurisdiction.

  1. ^ Spitzberg, Brian H.; Cupach, William R. (January 2007). "The state of the art of stalking: Taking stock of the emerging literature". Aggression and Violent Behavior. 12 (1): 64–86. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2006.05.001.
  2. ^ "State and Federal Stalking Laws". The Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  3. ^ "18 U.S. Code § 2261A. Stalking". Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  4. ^ "Stalking Victimization". National Center for Victims of Crime. February 2002.