State Stalking Statutes

State Stalking Statutes

While all 50 states have adopted stalking laws, the legal definition of stalking varies from state to state, and some states' definition of stalking is quite narrow. To illustrate: in some jurisdictions, stalking victims under 18 years of age may be unable to petition for protective orders; in other jurisdictions, protective orders may be unavailable if the teen victim does not have the requisite prior relationship with the offender, such as marriage or a child in common. Also, in some jurisdictions, stalking behavior alone without prior physical abuse may be insufficient grounds for issuing a protective order.

Links

National Center for Victims of Crime Stalking Resource Center