{"id":351818,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:03","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/domestic-violence\/stalking-and-domestic-violence.html"},"modified":"2025-02-07T14:40:51","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T19:40:51","slug":"stalking-and-domestic-violence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/domestic-violence\/stalking-and-domestic-violence.html","title":{"rendered":"Is Stalking Domestic Violence?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Is Stalking Domestic Violence?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Stalking can be domestic violence, depending on the relationship between the parties. It generally involves patterns of behavior that cause the victim to fear for their safety or that of their family. In some cases, it escalates to physical harm.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The legal protections available in stalking cases are like those of a domestic violence case, such as an order for protection or a restraining order<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Before 1990, lawmakers treated stalking<\/a> like other harassment cases. Stalking victims had little to no protection. Thankfully, those days are long gone, and there are now resources available for anyone who experiences this behavior.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we’ll explain what stalking is and break down the various types of stalking<\/a> behavior. We will also discuss why people engage in this behavior and what to do if someone makes you fear for your safety.<\/p>\r\n

What Is Stalking?<\/h2>\r\n

Stalking<\/a> involves intentional acts that cause a person to fear for their safety. To qualify as stalking, the perpetrator must engage in this behavior repeatedly, causing a long-lasting effect on the victim’s mental health and well-being.<\/p>\r\n

In extreme cases, stalkers escalate their behavior, resulting in physical injury, sexual assault<\/a>, kidnapping, and even murder.<\/p>\r\n

California passed the first state anti-stalking law in 1990, and it wasn’t long before the other states followed suit. Besides state stalking laws<\/a>, the federal government passed similar legislation in 1996.<\/p>\r\n

Acts That Constitute Stalking<\/h3>\r\n

Stalking involves a pattern of repeated behavior, often called a "course of conduct." The perpetrator commits harassment<\/a> that causes reasonable fear in the victim or their family members.<\/p>\r\n

Stalking typically involves the following acts:<\/p>\r\n