National Stalking Awareness Month 2025: Resolution Targets Crime Affecting 1 in 3 Women and 1 in 6 Men

This resolution officially designates January 2025 as National Stalking Awareness Month, marking the 21st anniversary of this specific public education push. While a resolution doesn't change the criminal code or hand out new funding, it serves as a formal directive for federal and local agencies to prioritize stalking prevention. The bill highlights a staggering reality: over 13.4 million people in the U.S. report being stalked annually, with 80% of victims already knowing their stalker as a former partner or acquaintance. By putting these numbers on the record, the resolution aims to bridge the gap between the high prevalence of the crime and the low rates of reporting to police.

The Digital Shadow

A major focus of this measure is how stalking has evolved for the digital age. The text notes that technology-facilitated stalking—using social media, electronic tracking, and constant phone contact—now affects 80% of victims. For someone working an office job or managing a retail floor, this isn't just a private issue; it often follows them to work, causing 1 in 8 victims to lose time at their jobs or even relocate entirely. The resolution specifically calls out that tech-based harassment can often generate higher levels of fear than in-person stalking alone, urging the private sector and media to step up their role in identifying and flagging these behaviors.

Protecting the Most Vulnerable

The resolution leans heavily into data regarding young adults and students. It points out that those aged 18 to 24 experience the highest rates of stalking, and for college women, nearly half of those stalked by an intimate partner also face physical or sexual assault. It also highlights a critical disparity: college students with disabilities are twice as likely to be targeted. By highlighting these specific groups, the resolution encourages universities and victim service agencies to tailor their support systems—like protection orders and counseling—to be more accessible to those at the highest risk.

A Call to Coordination

Beyond just awareness, the bill acts as a pat on the back and a nudge forward for the professionals on the front lines. It applauds the work of police departments, prosecutors, and nonprofit organizations, while urging them to keep improving how they handle these cases. Since stalking is already a crime under federal and state law, the goal here is implementation—making sure a victim who walks into a police station or a campus security office is met with a response that understands the psychological toll, such as the documented links to anxiety and insomnia. It’s a push for a more synchronized effort between the people writing the laws and the people enforcing them on the ground.