On the recordFebruary 2, 2010
Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 960 expresses support for January 2010, being designated as ``National Stalking Awareness Month.'' Every year, Mr. Speaker, an estimated 3.4 million people are the victims of stalking. Stalking occurs through many different behaviors, such as unwanted phone calls, letters or emails, the victim being followed, or a stalker showing up at places without a legitimate reason. While these individual acts may not be criminal in and of themselves, collectively and repetitively these behaviors can cause a victim to fear for his or her safety. This crime of stalking can be extremely dangerous. The fear and mental anguish that stalking causes can leave a victim's life in shambles. Anxiety, insomnia, or severe depression is much more prevalent among stalking victims than within the general population. This is especially the case if the stalking involves being followed or having one's property destroyed. Over 12 percent of employed stalking victims report losing time from work as a result of their victimization, and more than half lose 5 days of work or more. In fact, many stalking victims have been forced to relocate their residences, and they often need psychological counseling. Stalking is often a precursor to physical attacks on a victim. This is why stalking is a crime in all 50 States and in the District of Columbia and is a crime under Federal law as well.
