Stalking

Research shows that 2 percent of people who are stalked were also sexually assaulted by the perpetrator, and 31 percent of women who are stalked by an intimate partner were also sexually assaulted by that partner.

 According to New Jersey statute N.J.S.A 2C:12-10, stalking is defined as "purposeful conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear bodily injury or death to themselves or a family member." This can be anything from following someone around, calling regularly, sending unsolicited letters, or making other contact that causes fear.

RAINN lists the various forms in which stalking behavior can manifest:

  • Making threats against someone, or that person's family or friends.
  • Non-consensual communication, such as repeated phone calls, emails, text messages, and unwanted gifts.
  • Repeated physical or visual closeness, like waiting for someone to arrive at certain locations, following someone, or watching someone from a distance.
  • Any other behavior used to contact, harass, track, or threaten someone...including the use of cyberstalking. 

Cyberstalking is defined as the use of technology, including photos, videos, social media, and dating apps, as a means to engage in harassing, unsolicited, or non-consensual sexual interactions. 

Examples of cyberstalking:

  • Continuously sending unsolicited communication via the internet, like spamming someone's email or social media accounts.
  • Posting threatening or personal details about an individual on public internet forums.
  • Engaging in video-voyeurism by installing surveillance cameras to intrude into someone's private life.
  • Employing GPS or other tracking software to monitor someone without their awareness or permission.
  • Illegally accessing someone's computer and using spyware to monitor their online activities.

If you, or someone you know, believes that they are being stalked, please know there are now protections in place. In January, 2024, the Sexual Assault Survivor Protection Act (S.A.S.P.A) was amended to include stalking and cyberstalking – even if no sexual assault occurred. This change led them to change the name to the Victims Assistance and Survivor Protection Act (V.A.S.P.A.). To learn more, click HERE.

For additional support and resources, contact us at 908.233.7273. 

Please visit the sites below for additional information on how to identify stalking behaviors, create safety plans, and help keep yourself safe:


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