Responding to Stalking

Stalking is a serious and dangerous crime; yet, it is also often misunderstood, minimized, or overlooked entirely. Evidence of stalking—harassing phone calls or text messages, showing up at a victims’ school or work uninvited—is sometimes interpreted as a pattern of domestic violence, rather than a distinct crime that should be identified and assessed. Recognizing stalking and its intersection with domestic violence is critical for evaluating the risk of further violence and lethality. This booklet will address the definition and dynamics of stalking, the intersection of stalking and domestic violence, the intersection of stalking and supervised visitation and safe exchange, safety considerations, and policies and procedures, and will also provide additional resources.