Over the years, we’ve emphasized the importance of conducting background checks before entering a relationship. This step is not just prudent—it’s essential when considering safety, compatibility, and trust. While some may view this as overly cautious, it’s increasingly common in today’s digital age to ensure informed decisions about potential partners.
Hiring a licensed private investigator offers peace of mind by verifying key details about a partner’s identity, career, and past. They can authenticate claims, uncover potential red flags, and identify concerning behaviors, such as criminal records, financial troubles, or legal issues. This proactive approach helps build a foundation of trust and safety.
However, even with the best intentions, relationships sometimes end—amicably or otherwise. Unfortunately, the conclusion of a relationship can occasionally result in anger and resentment, leading to stalking behavior. Stalking can also be prevalent in the workplace, especially when a termination has occurred. We have written about workplace violence in the past and this issue will be discussed again in future blogs.
Knowing the Law
Stalking is addressed under both state and federal laws in the United States. These laws provide mechanisms to protect victims, hold offenders accountable, and prevent stalking-related behaviors. Here’s an overview of the legal framework:
Federal Laws on Stalking Interstate Stalking Law (18 U.S.C. § 2261A)
This law makes it a federal crime to travel across state lines, enter or leave Indian territory, or use the mail, any interactive computer service, or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce with the intent to kill, injure, harass, or intimidate another person. This includes placing a person in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury to themselves, an immediate family member, a spouse, or an intimate partner.
Cyberstalking and the Communications Decency Act (18 U.S.C. § 875(c) Criminalizes using the internet, email, or other electronic communications to send threats or harassment and protects individuals from online stalking behaviors, such as doxing (the action or process of searching for and publishing private or identifying information about a particular individual on the internet), sending threatening messages, or creating fake online profiles to intimidate.
State Laws on Stalking
Each state has its own stalking laws which typically cover behaviors that cause a victim to fear for their safety or suffer emotional distress. While details vary, most states address the following degrees of stalking. Many states classify stalking into degrees based on the severity of the behavior- first-degree stalking which involves threats or actions that put the victim in fear of death or serious harm and second-degree stalking which focuses on patterns of unwanted communication, surveillance, or harassment.
Who are the Stalkers and When are Excessive Behaviors Considered Stalking
Who Makes Up the Majority of Stalkers?
According to an agency called Stalking Prevention Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC), the majority of stalkers are men, particularly in cases involving female victims. Research suggests that approximately 70-80% of reported stalking cases involve male perpetrators. Male stalkers are more likely to engage in stalking behaviors after the end of an intimate relationship or in pursuit of a romantic connection.
According to SPARC, women account for about 20-30% of stalkers and often target former partners, colleagues, or acquaintances. Female stalkers are more likely to pursue men and less likely to resort to physical violence than their male counterparts.
Stalking is a pattern of threatening behavior that surpasses normal communication and disregards an individual’s expressed wishes or boundaries. It involves persistent, unwanted contact or actions that cause fear, distress, or a sense of being unsafe. Stalking can manifest in various ways, including:
- Unwanted communication via calls, texts, or emails.
- Spying or monitoring online activities.
- Uninvited visits to a victim’s home or workplace.
- Leaving unwanted gifts.
- Harassing friends, family, or colleagues.
Stalking is not limited by age or gender, and many stalkers have past criminal records. This behavior often escalates, with the potential for serious crimes such as assault or even homicide.
Statistics on Stalking
According to the 2022 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, stalking after a separation significantly increases the risk of violence. The Stalking Prevention Awareness and Resource Center notes that stalking triples the risk of intimate partner homicide. An example of stalking’s severity occurred from December 16, 2024, to January 2, 2025, when an individual used various online platforms to send vulgar, sexually graphic messages to Caitlin Clark, a celebrated college basketball star and 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year. The stalker also learned her home address and admitted to circling her residence. Thankfully, law enforcement intervened, and the individual was arrested.
Preventing and Addressing Stalking Preventing stalking requires proactive measures, situational awareness, and professional assistance:
- Set Clear Boundaries
- Communicate firmly and clearly that certain behaviors are unwelcome.
- Avoid giving mixed signals or indications that the behavior is acceptable.
- Document Evidence
- Keep a journal with detailed notes on incidents, including dates, times, and descriptions.
- Save texts, emails, and voicemails as evidence.
- Seek Legal Remedies
- File a report with local law enforcement and obtain a copy.
- Petition the court for a restraining or protective order.
- Protective orders typically specify terms such as no contact and maintaining a certain distance.
- Hire a Licensed Private Investigator
- Investigators can gather evidence, such as photos, videos, and logs, to support a case.
- They can testify in court, lending credibility to the victim’s claims.
- Investigators may recommend security enhancements, such as home surveillance systems.
- They can monitor whether a stalker violates restraining orders.
Conclusion
Stalking is a complex and potentially dangerous behavior that can cause fear, depression, and hopelessness in victims. Addressing it effectively requires documentation, legal action, and professional support. At Integrated Security Services, our team brings over 30 years of experience in private investigation, personal security and law enforcement relationships. We’re here to offer advice, provide cost free consultations and lend emotional support to victims of stalking. For assistance, contact us at 888-808-9119 or visit us online at www.intesecurity.com.
