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Stalking Awareness Month educates the public throughout January on the serious crime of stalking. Launched in 2004 by the National Center for Victims of Crime, this observance aims to increase understanding of stalking’s dangers. Join the campaign to spread information, be vigilant, and help keep communities safe.
Want to sponsor Stalking Awareness Month? Learn how
Expected Stalking Awareness Month Deals
Throughout Stalking Awareness Month, the focus shifts from commercial deals to crucial fundraising and public awareness campaigns. Organizations like the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) and the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center (SPARC) will lead initiatives, encouraging donations and participation in educational events. Corporate partners, particularly in the tech and safety sectors, often launch matching gift programs or dedicate portions of their sales to support victim services. Look for special online campaigns from groups like The Hotline and RAINN, offering resources and support to survivors. Many local community organizations will host workshops, webinars, and public forums to equip individuals with knowledge on recognizing, reporting, and preventing stalking. We encourage everyone to visit the official websites of these organizations to find ways to contribute and support their vital work.
Platform Guide for Stalking Awareness Month
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #StalkingAwarenessMonth. Share infographics, survivor stories (with consent), and tips for digital safety.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #StalkingAwarenessMonth. Participate in awareness threads, share news, and retweet resources from victim advocacy groups.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #StalkingAwarenessMonth. Share educational videos, host live Q&As with experts, and promote local support groups.
Stalking Awareness Month Hero
Victim Advocates
History of Stalking Awareness Month
Many people use ‘stalking’ as a fun term for digging up details on our crushes through social media, but the true meaning of the word creates fear for those who have been victims of the crime. Stalking is more than just going through the statuses or photos of a person. It is following them around to discover every intimate detail about the life of the victim. Stalking includes phone calls, obsessive text messages, notes left on cars, creepy gifts, or messages on social media platforms.
Since many of these initial stages later lead to kidnapping, sexual violence, or physical attacks, ‘stalking’ is considered a crime, an offense under the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007. According to law, the following counts as stalking: “the following of a person about or the watching or frequenting of the vicinity of, or an approach to a person’s place of residence, business or work or any place that a person frequents for any social or leisure activity.”
Due to the stress the victims of stalking experience, President Obama issued the first Presidential Proclamation for National Stalking Awareness Month in 2011, in which he spoke about the millions who suffer from the consequences of the crime. Due to frequent reports regarding stalking, California passed the first anti-stalking law in the U.S. in 1990. All the states had criminalized stalking by the first few decades of the 21st century.
Stalking Awareness Month timeline
The word is first said to mean “a poacher,” or “one who prowls for purposes of theft.”
Psychiatrists discover a new delusion they call ‘erotomania,’ of being loved by someone, often a public figure, and compelled to follow them around.
Journalists describe ‘obsession’ as a problem in a relationship, and not a crime.
Television actress Rebecca Schaeffer is murdered by a fan.
Cases of ‘star stalking,’ i.e., stalking celebrities, are discussed in the press.
Tennis player Monica Seles is stabbed by a deranged supporter of a rival player.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Stalking Awareness Month
Local businesses can honor Stalking Awareness Month by fostering a safe environment for employees and customers. Consider hosting a workshop on digital safety or recognizing the signs of stalking, led by a local expert or non-profit. Display educational materials from organizations like SPARC, and offer a donation match program for employee contributions to victim support services. Businesses can also partner with local law enforcement to promote community safety initiatives.
Stalking Awareness Month FAQs
When is Stalking Awareness Month?
Stalking Awareness Month 2027 will take place throughout January, starting on Friday, January 1. The entire month is dedicated to raising public understanding and supporting victims of stalking.
How many people are affected by stalking?
Millions of Americans are affected by stalking annually; roughly 7.5 million people are stalked in a 12-month period in the United States. These figures underscore the urgent need for continued awareness and prevention efforts.
What are the common forms of stalking?
Common stalking behaviors range from persistent unwanted contact like repeated calls or messages to more overt acts such as property damage, threats, or monitoring online activity. The pattern of behavior, rather than a single incident, defines stalking.
Is stalking a federal crime?
Stalking is a crime in all 50 U.S. states, and federal laws exist to cover interstate stalking, cyberstalking, and stalking on federal property. These laws aim to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
How to Observe Stalking Awareness Month
Hold a training session
Spreading awareness is the most important thing to do. A lot of people are unaware of how to seek help, and who can help them when they find themselves being stalked.
Launch a campaign
Plan a set of activities to carry out over the month of January to achieve social change by encouraging people, especially women and young adults, to develop the courage to speak up. Preventive measures are vital.
Print out informative posters
Print out flyers regarding what stalking is and who men and women should contact in times of need. Post them around your town.
5 Interesting Facts About Stalking
The chilling statistics
Around six to 7.5 million people are stalked per year in the United States.
A gender breakdown
Nearly one in six women and one in 17 men are victims of stalking at least once in their life.
Young people are most at risk
50% of victims said they were stalked before the age of 25.
Use of weapons
Stalkers harm victims with weapons in one out of five cases.
Stalking by strangers
Only 25% of the victims were stalked by strangers.
Why Stalking Awareness Month is Important
It increases awareness about stalking
The month is helpful because it makes people aware that stalking is a common phenomenon and can happen to anyone regardless of age and gender. This preventive measure is sometimes enough to reduce the occurrences.
Resources become more accessible
The month has become a period when information on how people can ask for help when faced with a stalking scenario is consciously displayed and announced. This access to information is key, and trickles down to the rest of the year, creating another safeguard from the dangers of stalking.
Highlights the warning signs
The month focuses on highlighting the signs of stalking. The different awareness campaigns inform people on what is considered suspicious behavior that may turn criminal.
Social Media Tips for Stalking Awareness Month
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