DCJS Victims Services News:

Stalking Awareness Month Edition

January 2025

In January 2004, National Stalking Awareness Month was established to increase awareness and understanding of the dangers of stalking and the devastating consequences it can have on victims. Each January, it is observed to educate the public about the prevalence and types of stalking, its impact on victims, and resources available to survivors. Through increased awareness, National Stalking Awareness Month aims to empower victims to seek help, encourage communities to support survivors and promote the development of more robust prevention efforts.

As part of the National Stalking Awareness Month observation, the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC) designates January 18 as the National Day of Action for Stalking. On this day, SPARC asks that individuals wear something sparkly in honor of stalking victim Peggy Klinke's sparkling personality and to spark the community to take a stand against stalking and support survivors.

Please click the link above to watch a brief video from SPARC on the 2025 National Day of Action for Stalking.

The History of Stalking Awareness Month

The origin of National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM) started when one woman courageously began advocating on behalf of stalking victims after her sister's brutal murder at the hands of her stalker.

A former partner ruthlessly stalked Peggy Klinke. Despite her many attempts to request help and to seek safety, her stalker ultimately killed her on January 18, 2003. After her tragic death, her sister, Debbie Riddle, began to advocate for improved responses to stalking by law enforcement to prevent other stalking victims from being harmed or killed by their stalkers.

In 2003, after Peggy's murder, Debbie contacted the Stalking Resource Center at the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC). She shared Peggy's story and her wish for every law enforcement agency to have the funding to establish a stalking task force. Months later, in July 2003, NCVC, in collaboration with Lifetime Television and Representative Heather Wilson (R-NM), shared Peggy's story at a Capitol Hill Congressional briefing on strengthening the criminal justice system's response to stalking. As a result, Congress passed a resolution supporting the establishment of National Stalking Awareness Month in January in remembrance of Peggy Klinke, and NCVC observed the first NSAM in January 2004.

What is stalking?

The Code of Virginia § 18.2-60.3 defines stalking as the behavior of intentionally, on at least two occasions, engaging in conduct in person or other means such as through mail, telephone, or electronic communication that causes another person to have a fear of death, sexual assault, or bodily injury to themselves or a family or household member.

The Code of Virginia § 18.2-60.3

Stalking Awareness Month Resources

Stalking Awareness Month

Video –

This short video presents an overview of the impact and prevalence of stalking.

View Video

Stalking Awareness Month Infographic – A downloadable fact sheet containing statistics and resources related to stalking.

Stalking Infographic

Do You Know?

Stalking preceded 85% of attempted and 76% of completed intimate partner femicides within the previous year.

Studies suggest that weapons are used by 20% of stalkers to harm or threaten their victims.

Victims reported that a stranger stalked them in 19% of cases. Most commonly, their stalker was an acquaintance (42%) or a current or former intimate partner (40%).

Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center, "General Stalking Infographic" uploaded from https://www.stalkingawareness.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/General-Stalking-Infographic.pdf

Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center, "General Stalking Infographic" uploaded from https://www.stalkingawareness.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Stalking__DV_Infographic.pdf

Resources for Stalking Victims

The Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC) offers numerous resources for victims of stalking, including:

The Stalking Harassment Assessment and Risk Profile (SHARP)–This free online questionnaire allows victims to enter information about their stalking experience, and SHARP then provides the victim with two reports. The first report provides the victims with a narrative of their stalking experience and a risk profile. The narrative report allows the victim to have a documented account of their victimization for their records. The second report provides the victim with details about their stalking risk and safety resources and information.
Stalking Safety Strategies provides victims with tips and strategies for safety planning and documenting stalking behaviors. It includes safety planning tips for work, school, home, and technology.
The Stalking Victim Handbook provides information so victims may better understand stalking tactics, behaviors, and risk factors. It also provides some safety planning tips and resources. It is also available in Spanish.
The Stalking Incident and Behavior Log is a form that victims can use to document the details of stalking incidents for their records or to report them to law enforcement, victim advocates, or civil and criminal court. The Spanish version of the log can be found here.