Stalking is a public health problem that affects millions of women and men in the United States. Stalking occurs when someone repeatedly harasses or threatens someone else, causing fear or safety concerns.

Stalking tactics can include:

• making unwanted phone calls
• sending unwanted emails, instant messages, text messages, voice messages, or social media messages
• approaching a victim or showing up unwanted, such as at the victim’s home, workplace, or school
• leaving strange or potentially threatening items for the victim to find
• watching, following, or tracking a victim
• sneaking into the victim’s home or car and doing things to scare the victim or let them know the perpetrator had been there

Technology has made communicating with others easier than ever, but those advances have also created more options and choices to threaten and harass victims. Most victims are commonly stalked by someone they know, such as an intimate partner or acquaintance.

Stalking is repeated contact that makes you feel afraid or harassed. Someone may stalk you by following you or calling you often. Stalkers may also use technology to stalk you by sending unwanted emails or social media messages. About one in six women has experienced stalking in her lifetime. Women are twice as likely to be stalked as men are. Stalking is a crime.

You can be stalked by a stranger, but most stalkers are people you know — even an intimate partner. Stalking may get worse or become violent over time. Stalking may also be a sign of an abusive relationship.

Someone who is stalking you may threaten your safety by clearly saying they want to harm you. Some stalkers harass you with less threatening but still unwanted contact. The use of technology to stalk, sometimes called “cyberstalking,” involves using the Internet, email, or other electronic communications to stalk someone. Stalking is against the law.

Stalking and cyberstalking can lead to sleeping problems or problems at work or school.

Examples of stalking may include:

• Following you around or spying on you
• Sending you unwanted emails or letters
• Calling you often
• Showing up uninvited at your house, school, or work
• Leaving you unwanted gifts
• Damaging your home, car, or other property
• Threatening you, your family, or pets with violence

Examples of cyberstalking include:

• Sending unwanted, frightening, or obscene emails, text messages, or instant messages (IMs)
• Harassing or threatening you on social media
• Tracking your computer and internet use
• Using technology such as GPS to track where you are

Yes. Stalking is a crime. Learn more about the laws against stalking in your state at the Stalking Resource Center. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

You can file a complaint with the police and get a restraining order (court order of protection) against the stalker. Federal law says that you can get a restraining order for free. Do not be afraid to take steps to stop your stalker.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Find a safe place to go if you are being followed or worry that you will be followed. Go to a police station, friend’s house, domestic violence shelter, fire station, or public area.

You can also take the following steps if you are being stalked:

• File a complaint with the police. Make sure to tell them about all threats and incidents.
• Get a restraining order. A restraining order requires the stalker to stay away from you and not contact you. You can learn how to get a restraining order from a domestic violence shelter, the police, or an attorney in your area.
• Write down every incident. Include the time, date, and other important information. If the incidents occurred online, take screenshots as records.
• Keep evidence such as videotapes, voicemail messages, photos of property damage, and letters.
• Get names of witnesses.
• Get help from domestic violence hotlines, domestic violence shelters, counseling services, and support groups. Put these numbers in your phone in case you need them.
• Tell people about the stalking, including the police, your employer, family, friends, and neighbors.
• Always have your phone with you so you can call for help.
• Consider changing your phone number (although some people leave their number active so they can collect evidence). You can also ask your service provider about call blocking and other safety features.
• Secure your home with alarms, locks, and motion-sensitive lights.

For more information or emotional support, call the Stalking Resource Center National Center for Victims of Crime Helpline at 800-FYI-CALL (394-2255), Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

If you are being cyberstalked:

• Send the person one clear, written warning not to contact you again.
• If they contact you again after you’ve told them not to, do not respond.
• Print out copies of evidence such as emails or screenshots of your phone. Keep a record of the stalking and any contact with police.
• Report the stalker to the authority in charge of the site or service where the stalker contacted you. For example, if someone is stalking you through Facebook, report them to Facebook.
• If the stalking continues, get help from the police. You also can contact a domestic violence shelter and the National Center for Victims of Crime Helpline for support and suggestions.
• Consider blocking messages from the harasser.
• Change your email address or screen name.
• Never post online profiles or messages with details that someone could use to identify or locate you (such as your age, sex, address, workplace, phone number, school, or places you hang out).

The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) reports that about 1 in 6 women and 1 in 17 men have been stalked at some point in their lives.

While most women and men first experience being stalked as adults, approximately 21% of female victims and 13% of male victims reported being stalked as minors. Nearly 54% of female victims and 41% of male victims experienced stalking before the age of 25.

Women and men who were stalked felt very fearful or believed that they or someone close to them would be harmed or killed as a result. About 68% of female and 70% of male victims experienced threats of physical harm during their lifetime. Approximately half of victims, 52% of female victims and 51% of male victims, experienced damage to personal property or belongings.

Studies have shown that stalking can lead to psychological distress, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

It is important for everyone to work together to end stalking. NISVS findings highlight the importance of early prevention and support efforts, which can include:

• Empowering everyone to understand, recognize, and address stalking
• Mobilizing men and boys as allies in prevention efforts
• Creating and supporting safe environments within relationships, schools, and communities through programs and policies that reduce risk and promote healthy relationships

Need Help? Know Someone Who Does?

Contact your local service provider or a national hotline:

• Victim Connect: 1-855-4VICTIM (1-855-484-2846)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224 En Español
• The National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)