U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
Bureau of Justice Statistics
Special Report
January 2009, NCJ 224527
National Crime Victimization Survey
Stalking Victimization in the
United States
By Katrina Baum, Ph.D., Shannan Catalano, Ph.D.,
and Michael Rand
Bureau of Justice Statistics
Kristina Rose
National Institute of Justice
During a 12-month period, an estimated 3.4 million persons
age 18 or older were victims of stalking. Stalking is defined
as a course of conduct directed at a specific person that
would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. The Supple-
mental Victimization Survey (SVS), which is the basis of
this report, was conducted in 2006. The SVS identified
seven types of harassing or unwanted behaviors consistent
with a course of conduct experienced by stalking victims.
The survey classified individuals as stalking victims if they
responded that they experienced at least one of these
behaviors on at least two separate occasions. In addition,
the individuals must have feared for their safety or that of a
family member as a result of the course of conduct, or have
experienced additional threatening behaviors that would
cause a reasonable person to feel fear.
The SVS measured the following stalking behaviors:
• making unwanted phone calls
• sending unsolicited or unwanted letters or e-mails
• following or spying on the victim
• showing up at places without a legitimate reason
• waiting at places for the victim
• leaving unwanted items, presents, or flowers
• posting information or spreading rumors about the victim
on the internet, in a public place, or by word of mouth.
While individually these acts may not be criminal, collec-
tively and repetitively these behaviors may cause a victim
to fear for his or her safety or the safety of a family member.
During a 12-month period an estimated 14 in every
1,000 persons age 18 or older were victims of stalking
• About half (46%) of stalking victims experienced at least
one unwanted contact per week, and 11% of victims said
they had been stalked for 5 years or more.
• The risk of stalking victimization was highest for individu-
als who were divorced or separated—34 per 1,000
individuals.
• Women were at greater risk than men for stalking victim-
ization; however, women and men were equally likely to
experience harassment.
• Male (37%) and female (41%) stalking victimizations
were equally likely to be reported to the police.
• Approximately 1 in 4 stalking victims reported some form
of cyberstalking such as e-mail (83%) or instant messag-
ing (35%).
• 46% of stalking victims felt fear of not knowing what
would happen next.
• Nearly 3 in 4 stalking victims knew their offender in some
capacity.
• More than half of stalking victims lost 5 or more days
from work.
stalking a criminal act, although the elements defining the
act of stalking differ across states (see box, Stalking laws).
The SVS also identified victims who experienced the
behaviors associated with stalking but neither reported
feeling fear as a result of such conduct nor experienced
actions that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.
This report characterizes such individuals as harassment
victims. These instances of harassment might eventually
have risen to the definitional requirement for stalking. How-
ever, at the time of the interview, the offender’s actions and
These behaviors constitute stalking for the purposes of this
victim’s responses did not rise to the threshold of stalking
study. The federal government, all 50 states, the District of
victimization as measured by the SVS.
Columbia, and U.S. Territories have enacted laws making
Few national studies have measured the extent and nature
of stalking in the United States. The Department of Justice
Office on Violence Against Women funded the 2006 SVS
as a supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey
(NCVS) to enhance empirical knowledge about stalking
(see Methodology). The SVS, which represents the largest
study of stalking conducted to date, incorporated elements
contained in federal and state laws to construct a working
definition of stalking.
This report presents information on stalking victimization.
Harassment is discussed where appropriate to provide
fuller context. Appendix tables focus solely on stalking vic-
tims and exclude the people who experienced what this
report terms as harassment. Persons interested in viewing
the SVS data in its entirety may obtain the data file from the
University of Michigan’s Archive of Criminal Justice Data
<www.icpsr.umich.edu/NACJD>.
During a 12-month period an estimated 14 in every
1,000 persons age 18 or older were victims of stalking
An estimated 5.9 million U.S. residents age 18 or older
experienced behaviors consistent with either stalking or
harassment in the 12 months preceding the SVS interview
(table 1).
1
Of the 5.9 million victims, more than half experi-
enced behavior that met the definition of stalking. Approxi-
mately 14 per 1,000 persons age 18 or older experienced
the repetitive behaviors associated with stalking in addition
to feeling fear or experiencing behaviors that would cause
a reasonable person to feel fear. Harassment victims, who
experienced a course of conduct consistent with stalking
but who did not report feeling fear, experienced these
behaviors at a rate of 10 victimizations per 1,000 persons
age 18 or older.
About half (46%) of all stalking victims experienced at least
one unwanted contact per week (appendix table 6). Many
victims of stalking reported being stalked over a period of
months or years, and 11% of victims said they had been
stalked for 5 years or more (figure 1). The fears and emo-
tional distress that stalking engenders are many and var-
ied. About 1 in 5 victims feared bodily harm to themselves,
and 1 in 6 feared for the safety of a child or other family
member.
2
About 1 in 10 stalking victims feared being killed
by the stalker. About 4 in 10 stalkers threatened the victim
or the victim’s family, friends, co-workers, or family pet.
3
1
To place this estimate in perspective, there were about 5.2 million violent
crimes—rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple
assault—committed in 2005.
2
Table 10 lists the range of fearful reactions about which victims
were surveyed.
3
Table 13 lists various threats stalkers made to victims.
The most common type of stalking behavior victims
experienced was unwanted phone calls and messages
With the exception of receiving unwanted letters, e-mails,
or other correspondence, stalking victims were more likely
than harassment victims to experience all forms of
unwanted behaviors (table 2). In particular, victims of stalk-
ing experienced higher levels of three unwanted behaviors
most commonly associated with stalking. These included
an offender following or spying on the victim, showing up at
places without a legitimate reason, or waiting outside (or
inside) places for the victim. Stalking victims were about
3 times more likely to report experiencing these three
behaviors than individuals who were harassed. For exam-
ple, 34% of stalking victims reported that the offender fol-
lowed or spied on them compared with 11% of harassment
Table 1. Prevalence of stalking and harassment over the
12 months prior to interview
Number Rate
All victims
5,857,030 23.8
Stalking victims 3,424,100 13.9
Harassment victims 2,432,930 9.9
Note: The total population age 18 or older was 246,500,200 in 2006.
Victimization rates are per 1,000 persons age 18 or older.
Table 2. Nature of stalking and harassment behaviors
experienced by victims
Percent of victims
All Stalking Harassment
Unwanted phone calls and
messages 62.5% 66.2% 57.2%
Unwanted letters and e-mail 30.1 30.6 29.4
Spreading rumors 29.1 35.7 19.9
Following or spying 24.5 34.3 10.6
Showing up at places 22.4 31.1 10.2
Waiting for victim 20.4 29.0 8.3
Leaving unwanted presents 9.1 12.2 4.8
Number of victims 5,857,030 3,424,100 2,432,930
Note: Details sum to more than 100% because multiple responses
were permitted.
About 10% of victims were stalked for 5 years or more
Figure 1
Don't know
5 years or more
4 years
3 years
2 years
1 year
7-11 months
6 months or less
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Percent of victims
Note: Estimates exclude 1.2% of stalking and 10.2% of harass-
ment victims due to missing data. All victims experience at least
one unwanted behavior in the year before the interview.
Onset of unwanted behavior
Harassment
Stalking
2 Stalking Victimization in the United States
victims who reported experiencing this behavior. Thirty-one
percent of stalking victims reported that the offenders
showed up in places where they had no legitimate purpose
being; approximately 10% of harassment victims reported
this type of unwanted behavior. Also, 29% of stalking vic-
tims stated that the offender waited in places for them,
while 8% of harassment victims reported this type of
behavior.
Risk of victimization varies more for stalking than for
harassment
Females were at higher risk of stalking victimization than
males (table 3). During the study period, females experi-
enced 20 stalking victimizations per 1,000 females age 18
or older. The rate of stalking victimization for males was
approximately 7 per 1,000 males age 18 or older. Males
and females were equally likely to experience harassment.
Age
As with victimization risk more generally, risk of being
stalked diminished with age. Persons age 18 to 19 and 20
to 24 experienced the highest rates of stalking victimiza-
tion. About 30 per 1,000 persons age 18 to 19 and 28 per
1,000 persons age 20 to 24 were stalked during 2006.
Race and Hispanic origin of victim
Asians and Pacific Islanders (7 per 1,000 persons age 18
and older) were less likely to experience stalking than
whites (14 per 1,000), blacks (12 per 1,000), and persons
of two or more races (32 per 1,000). Despite apparent
racial differences, no other consistent patterns of risk for
stalking victimization emerged. Non-Hispanics were more
likely than Hispanics to experience stalking. During the
study period, non-Hispanics experienced about 14 stalking
victimizations per 1,000 individuals age 18 and older. The
rate for Hispanics during this period was 11 stalking victim-
izations per 1,000 persons age 18 or older.
Stalking laws
While the federal government, all 50 states, the District
of Columbia, and U.S. Territories have enacted
criminal laws to address stalking, the legal definition
for stalking varies across jurisdictions. State laws vary
regarding the element of victim fear and emotional
distress, as well as the requisite intent of the stalker.
Some state laws specify that the victim must have
been frightened by the stalking, while others require
only that the stalking behavior would have caused a
reasonable person to experience fear. In addition
states vary regarding what level of fear is required.
Some state laws require prosecutors to establish fear
of death or serious bodily harm, while others require
only that prosecutors establish that the victim suffered
emotional distress. Interstate stalking is defined by
federal law 18 U.S.C. § 2261A.
Marital status
The rate of stalking victimization for individuals who were
divorced or separated was 34 per 1,000 individuals age 18
or older—a higher rate of victimization than for persons of
other marital status. Individuals who had never been mar-
ried (17 per 1,000 individuals) were at a lower risk of stalk-
ing victimization than divorced or separated persons, but
were at a higher risk of stalking victimization than persons
who were married (9 per 1,000) or widowed (8 per 1,000).
Income
As with crime more generally, a pattern of decreasing risk
for stalking victimization existed for persons residing in
households with higher incomes. Individuals in households
with an annual income under $7,500 and $7,500 to
$14,999 were equally likely to be stalked but more likely to
be victimized than were persons in households with an
annual income at or above $25,000.
Table 3. Characteristics of stalking and harassment victims
Rate per 1,000 victims
a
Population All Stalking Harassment
Gender
Male 120,068,420 16.9 7.4 9.5
Female 126,431,780 30.3 20.0 10.2
Age
18-19 8,047,540 47.2 29.7 17.5
20-24 20,346,940 45.7 28.4 17.3
25-34 39,835,680 30.1 20.2 9.9
35-49 65,886,490 29.9 17.3 12.6
50-64 51,400,990 20.4 10.4 10.0
65 or older 35,515,670 9.3 3.6 5.7
Race
White 200,874,080 24.1 14.2 9.8
Black 29,853,700 22.7 12.2 10.5
American Indian/
Alaska Native 1,695,400 33.0 19.6* 13.4*
Asian/Pacific Islander 11,317,780 13.4 7.0 6.4
More than one race
b
2,759,240 49.3 31.6 17.7
Hispanic origin
Hispanic 29,522,670 16.5 10.6 5.9
Non-Hispanic 215,025,170 24.7 14.4 10.3
Marital status
Never married 79,715,080 26.9 16.6 10.3
Married 123,633,560 16.8 8.7 8.1
Divorced or separated 26,334,200 51.8 34.0 17.8
Widowed 14,318,190 16.0 7.5 8.5
Household Income
Less than $7,500 8,418,570 47.0 31.7 15.3
$7,500 - $14,999 14,562,850 40.1 27.4 12.6
$15,000 - $24,999 22,428,240 32.3 21.1 11.1
$25,000 - $34,999 22,862,680 27.4 15.8 11.5
$35,000 - $49,999 30,345,140 25.2 15.8 9.4
$50,000 - $74,999 37,956,910 23.1 12.6 10.6
$75,000 or more 56,633,800 18.8 9.6 9.2
Note: Table excludes missing data.
*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.
a
Victimization rates are per 1,000 persons age 18 or older.
b
Includes all persons of any race, including persons who identify
two or more races.
Stalking Victimization in the United States 3
Victims were more likely to be stalked by an offender of
the same age and race
Offender age
Individuals were more likely to be stalked by offenders of
similar age (appendix table 1). Nearly half of victims age
21 to 29 were stalked by offenders perceived to also be in
their twenties, and 38% of victims age 30 to 39 perceived
the offender to also be in their thirties.
Race
Similar to other types of victimization, stalking is primarily
intraracial in nature (appendix table 2). Most (83%) of white
stalking victims perceived the offender to be white com-
pared to 66% of black stalking victims who perceived the
offender to be black. This pattern of intraracial victimization
changes for persons of other races. Despite apparent dif-
ferences, persons of other races were equally likely to be
stalked by an offender who was black, white, or of another
4
race.
Offender gender
Males were as likely to report being stalked by a male as a
female offender (table 4). Forty-three percent of male stalk-
ing victims stated that the offender was female, while 41%
of male victims stated that the offender was another male.
Female victims of stalking were significantly more likely to
be stalked by a male (67%) rather than a female (24%)
offender.
Stalking is unlike most crimes because a course of conduct
designed to create fear in another person does not neces-
sarily require that the victim come into contact with the
offender. For example, a victim may receive repeated
threatening correspondence without knowing the source of
the communication. Sixteen percent of male stalking vic-
tims and approximately 10% of female stalking victims
were not able to identify the gender of the offender.
4
Other races include American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asians, Native
Hawaiians, other Pacific Islanders, and persons identifying two or more
races.
Table 4. Perceived gender of the stalking or harassment offender, by victim gender
Gender of victim
All Stalking Harassment
Gender of offender Male Female Male Female Male Female
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Male 31.7 58.3 41.3 66.9 24.2 41.3
Female 37.9 22.4 42.5 23.5 34.3 20.3
Don't know 30.4 19.3 16.1 9.6 41.5 38.4
Number of victims 2,028,800 3,821,140 888,680 2,531,770 1,140,120 1,289,370
Note: Table excludes missing data about offenders from 0.2% of all male victims, 0.1% of all female victims,
0.4% of female stalking victims, and 0.3% of female harassment victims. Detail may not sum to 100% due
to rounding.
Number of offenders
About 6 in 10 stalking victims stated that the perpetrator
was a single offender (appendix table 3). A much lower per-
centage of victims reported being stalked by two (18%) or
three (13%) offenders.
Relationship
About a tenth of all victims were stalked by a stranger, and
nearly 3 in 4 of all victims knew their offender in some
capacity (table 5). Stalking victims most often identified the
stalker as a former intimate (21.5%) or a friend, roommate,
or neighbor (16.4%).
Table 5. Victim-offender relationship in stalking and
harassment
Percent of victims
All Stalking Harassment
Total
**
100% 100% 100%
Known, intimate 27.6% 30.3% 22.5%
Current intimate
Spouse 4.3 5.6 1.8
*
Boy/girlfriend 3.8 3.2 5.1
Former intimate
Ex-spouse 7.1% 8.4% 4.6%
Ex-boy/girlfriend 12.4 13.1 11.0
Known, other 44.7% 45.1% 44.4%
Friend/roommate/
neighbor 16.7 16.4 17.4
Known from work or
school 10.1 9.9 10.6
Acquaintance 9.4 9.8 8.8
Relative 8.5 9.0 7.6
Stranger 10.6% 9.7% 12.5%
Unknown 16.9% 15.0% 20.6%
Number of victims 4,619,430 3,064,950 1,554,480
Note: Table excludes 0.5% of all victims, 0.3% of stalking victims,
and 0.7% of harassment victims due to missing data. Detail may
not sum to 100% due to rounding.
*Estimate based on 10 or fewer cases.
**
Includes victims who could identify a single offender who was
most responsible.
4 Stalking Victimization in the United States
Employment status of the offender
Forty-two percent of stalking victims stated that the
offender was employed during the time stalking occurred
(appendix table 4). Victims were equally likely to report that
the offender was unemployed or that the victim was unable
to ascertain the employment status of the offender.
Problems with the law
Thirty-six percent of stalking victims stated that the offender
had some previous interaction with law enforcement
(appendix table 5). A similar percentage of victims (38%)
were unable to identify whether the offender had problems
with the law prior to the stalking victimization.
One in 10 victims reported that the stalking started
5 years or more before the survey
Over half of all victims reported that the stalking or harass-
ment began “less than a year ago” (figure 1). Harassment
victims had characteristically experienced the harassing
behavior for a shorter period leading up to the interview
(6 months or less). Stalking victims were most likely to be
stalked once or twice a week or with no set pattern (appen-
dix table 6). Nearly a quarter of all victims reported that
they were stalked almost every day (16.9%) or at least
once a day (6%).
Victim perception of why stalking began
The most common reasons victims perceived for the stalk-
ing were retaliation, anger, spite (37%), or desire to control
the victim (33%) (table 6). About 1 in 6 victims believed the
stalking started to keep him or her in the relationship with
the offender, and 1 in 10 reported the stalking began while
living with the offender (not referenced in a table). About a
tenth of victims did not know why the stalking began.
Cyberstalking and electronic monitoring
More than 1 in 4 stalking victims reported some form of
cyberstalking was used, such as e-mail (83%) or instant
messaging (35%) (table 7). Electronic monitoring was used
to stalk 1 in 13 victims. Video or digital cameras were
equally likely as listening devices or bugs to be used to
electronically monitor victims (46% and 42%). Global posi-
tioning system (GPS) technology comprised about a tenth
of the electronic monitoring of stalking victims.
Table 6. Victim perception of reasons stalking
or harassment began
Percent of all victims
All Stalking Harassment
Retaliation/anger/spite 30.0% 36.6% 20.0%
Control 25.2 32.9 13.4
Mentally ill/emotionally unstable 16.7 23.4 6.6
Liked me/found me attractive/
had crush 13.7 16.8 9.0
Keep in relationship 12.9 16.2 7.9
Substance abuser 10.3 14.4 4.1
Stalker liked attention 7.7 9.1 5.7
Proximity/convenience/
I was alone 4.8 6.6 2.2
Catch me doing something 3.3 4.3 1.9
Different cultural beliefs/back-
ground 3.2 4.0 1.8
Thought I liked attention 2.5 2.4 2.6
Other reasons 23.8 19.3 30.7
Don't know why 16.6 10.6 25.7
Number of victims 5,644,500 3,416,460 2,228,050
Note: Table excludes 3.6% of all victims, 0.2% of stalking victims, and
8.4% of harassment victims due to missing data. Details sum to more
than 100% because multiple responses were permitted.
Table 7. Involvement of cyberstalking or electronic
monitoring in stalking and harassment
Percent of victims
All Stalking Harassment
Total 100% 100% 100%
No cyberstalking or elec-
tronic monitoring involved 72.7% 73.2% 72.1%
Any type of cyberstalking
or electronic monitoring 26.6% 26.1% 27.4%
Cyberstalking 23.4 21.5 26.4
Electronic monitoring 6.0 7.8 3.4
Don't know 0.6 0.7 0.6
Percent of cyberstalking
a
involving —
E-mail 82.6% 82.5% 82.7%
Instant messenger 28.7 35.1 20.7
Blogs or bulletin boards 12.5 12.3 12.8
Internet sites about victim 8.8 9.4 8.1
Chat rooms 4.0 4.4* 3.4*
Percent of electronic
b
monitoring involving —
Computer spyware 44.1% 33.6% 81.0%*
Video/digital cameras 40.3 46.3 19.3*
Listening devices/bugs 35.8 41.8 14.8
GPS 9.7* 10.9* 5.2*
Number 5,200,410 3,158,340 2,042,070
Note: Table excludes 8.8% of all victims, 7.8% of stalking victims, and
10.2% of harassment victims due to missing data. Details sum to
more than 100% because multiple responses were permitted.
*
Estimate based on 10 or fewer samples.
a
Based on 1,217,680 total victims, 677,870 stalking victims, and
539,820 harassment victims who experienced cyberstalking.
b
Based on 314,400 total victims, 244,880 stalking victims, and 69,530
harassment victims who experienced electronic monitoring.
Stalking Victimization in the United States 5
One in 7 victims reported they moved as a result of the
Reasons stalking stopped
stalking
At the time of the interview, 3 in 5 of the victims reported
The most common types of actions victims took to stop the
the stalking had stopped, while about 2 in 5 reported it was
stalking from continuing were to change usual activities
ongoing (appendix table 7). The most common victim per-
outside of work or school, stay with family, or install caller
ceptions for why the unwanted contacts stopped were that
ID or call blocking (table 8). The least frequent actions
the police warned the stalker (15.6%), the victim talked to
taken were to alter one’s appearance or get pepper spray,
the stalker (13.3%), or a friend or relative intervened
a gun, or some other kind of weapon. Forty percent of
(12.2%). About a tenth of victims attributed the cessation of
stalking victims did not change their usual activities outside
the unwanted behavior to obtaining a restraining, protec-
of work or school, take protective actions, or change their
tion, or stay away order.
personal information.
Emotional impact
Help from others
For stalking victims, the most common fear cited was not
Seven in 10 victims of stalking sought help to protect them-
knowing what would happen next (table 10). Nine percent
selves or to stop the stalking (table 9). Victims were most
of stalking victims reported their worst fear was death.
likely to enlist the help of family or friends, followed by ask-
Twenty-nine percent of stalking victims feared the behavior
ing people not to release information about him or her (43%
would never stop. More than half of the stalking victims
versus 33%). About 7% of victims contacted victim ser-
feared bodily harm to themselves, their child, or another
vices, a shelter, or a helpline.
family member.
More than 7 in 10 of all victims felt angry or annoyed at the
beginning of the unwanted contacts or as they progressed
(table 11). Stalking victims were about twice as likely as
harassment victims to feel anxious or concerned at the
6 Stalking Victimization in the United States
Table 8. Whether stalking or harassment victims took
actions to protect themselves or stop unwanted behaviors
Percent of victims
All Stalking Harassment
Changed usual activities outside
work or school
Changed day-to-day activities 14.3% 21.6% 4.1%
Stayed with family 11.6 18.1 2.6
Took time off work or school 10.8 16.7 2.6
Avoided family/friends 10.3 14.9 3.7
Changed route to work or school 9.2 13.4 3.3
Changed or quit job or school 6.7 9.5 2.9
Altered appearance 1.5 2.3 0.4*
Took protective actions
Installed caller ID/call blocking 13.4% 18.1% 6.7%
Changed telephone number 12.6 17.3 5.8
Changed locks/got security
system 8.7 13.2 2.4
Got pepper spray 4.0 6.3 0.8*
Got a gun 1.9 2.9 0.5*
Got another kind of weapon 1.8 2.1 1.4*
Took self-defense classes 0.9 1.1 0.5*
Changed personal information
Changed email address 5.9% 6.9% 4.4%
Changed social security number 0.3 0.2* 0.3*
Did not change behaviors listed 55.1% 39.7% 76.9%
Number 5,857,030 3,424,100 2,432,930
Note: Details sum to more than 100% because multiple responses
were permitted.
*Estimate based on 10 or fewer sample cases.
Table 9. Types of help sought by stalking or harassment
victims
Percent of victims
All Stalking Harassment
Total 100% 100% 100%
Enlisted help of friends/family 30.0 42.6 12.2
Asked people not to release
information 24.0 32.9 11.6
Talked to boss/employer 16.2 21.6 8.6
Talked to an attorney 13.5 19.9 4.4
Obtained a restraining/protection/
stay away order 9.4 15.6 0.6
Talked to a mental health
professional 8.3 12.4 2.6
Contacted building/office security 6.4 9.2 2.5
Talked to clergy/faith leader 6.1 9.0 2.0
Talked to a doctor or nurse 6.0 9.1 1.5
Contacted victim services/shelter/
help line 4.5 7.3 0.5*
Hired a private investigator 0.7 1.1 0.1*
Did not seek help
**
47.3 30.3 71.2
Number of victims 5,857,030 3,424,100 2,432,930
Note: Details sum to more than 100% because multiple responses
were permitted.
*Estimate based on 10 or fewer sample cases.
**
Victims might have sought help from someone other than those
listed above.
beginning of the unwanted contacts (52.7% versus 25.4%).
As the unwanted contacts progressed, about 15% of stalk-
ing victims felt depressed or sick, and 1% reported feeling
suicidal.
Workplace impact
Of the 79% of stalking victims who had a job during the
12 months preceding the interview, about 1 in 8 lost time
from work because of fear for their safety or to pursue
activities such as obtaining a restraining order or testifying
in court (appendix table 8). Seven percent of victims lost
time from work for activities such as changing a phone
Table 10. Victims’ worst fears resulting from stalking
Percent of victim
Not knowing what would happen next 46.1%
Behavior would never stop 29.1
Bodily harm 30.4
Harm or kidnap child 12.9
Harm other family member 12.2
Loss of freedom 10.3
Death 8.9
Loss of job 6.3
Harm current partner 6.0
Losing one's mind 4.3
Other 16.6
Don't know 5.3
Number of victims 3,416,900
Note: Table excludes 0.2% of stalking victims due to miss-
ing data. Details sum to more than 100% because multiple
responses were permitted.
number, moving, or fixing or replacing damaged property.
For 1 in 7 of these victims, a day or less was lost from work
(appendix table 9). More than half of victims lost 5 or more
days from work. About 130,000 victims reported that they
had been fired from or asked to leave their jobs because of
the stalking (not referenced in table).
Financial impact of stalking on victim
About 3 in 10 of stalking victims accrued out-of-pocket
costs for things such as attorney fees, damage to property,
child care costs, moving expenses, or changing phone
numbers (appendix table 10). About a tenth of victims
spent less than $250, while 13% spent $1,000 or more.
About 296,000 stalking victims lost pay from work (appen-
dix table 11). Over half of the victims lost less than $1,000
of pay, and 8% of victims lost $5,000 in pay or more.
Stalkers commit various types of crimes against
their victims
Stalking offenders committed identity theft against about
204,000 victims. Over half of these victims had financial
accounts opened or closed in their names or money taken
from their accounts, and 3 in 10 of these victims had items
charged to their credit cards without their consent.
Any identity theft 204,230 100%
Opened/closed accounts 110,850 54.3
Took money from accounts 105,130 51.5
Charged items to credit card 60,790 29.8
Note: Estimates exclude 0.1% of missing data.
Details sum to more than 100% because multiple
responses were permitted.
Table 11. How the victim felt when the stalking or harassment began and progressed
Percent of victims
All Stalking Harassment
Beginning Progressed Beginning Progressed Beginning Progressed
Annoyed/angry 72.5% 74.2% 68.9% 69.6% 78.1% 81.4%
Anxious/concerned 42.2 36.2 52.7 46.7 25.4 19.4
Frightened 26.8 25.7 41.7 41.7 3.2* ~
a
Helpless 15.6 16.4 22.4 23.4 4.8 5.1
Depressed 10.8 10.2 15.9 15.2 2.8 2.3
Sick 10.0 9.8 14.8 14.7 2.2* 1.8
b
Suicidal 0.9 0.9 1.4 1.4 ~ ~
Other way 9.7 10.1 7.9 8.9 12.4 11.9
Number of victims 5,574,400 5,530,940 3,416,430 3,406,220 2,157,980 2,124,720
Note: Table excludes 4.8% of all victims, 5.6% of all stalking victims, and 0.2% of harassment victims at the
beginning of the behaviors and 0.5% of all victims, 11.3% of all stalking victims, and 12.7% of harassment
victims as the behaviors progressed due to missing data. Details sum to more than 100% because multiple
responses were permitted.
*Estimate based on 10 or fewer sample cases.
~Not applicable.
a
Harassment victims, by definition, were not frightened as the unwanted behaviors progressed.
b
Harassment victims, by definition, did not report feeling suicidal as a result of the unwanted behaviors.
Stalking Victimization in the United States 7
About 16% of all victims suffered property damage in con-
junction with the stalking (table 12). Among stalking victims,
the most common type of violent crime experienced in con-
junction with stalking was to be hit, slapped, or knocked
down (12.3%). About 6% of the stalking victims had a fam-
ily member, friend, or co-worker who was attacked.
Weapon involvement and injuries
About 139,000 stalking victims were attacked with a
weapon. Stalkers were equally likely to use a knife, blunt
instrument, or other object, and 23% of the weapons used
were handguns. Of the 279,000 victims who were injured in
an attack, nearly all (99%) of these victims sustained minor
bruises and other injuries. About a fifth sustained serious
injuries, including gunshot or knife wounds, internal inju-
ries, or broken bones.
Weapon used in attack 138,630 100%
Knife/other sharp object 58,850 42.4
Handgun 31,610 22.8*
Blunt or other object 52,670 38.0
*Estimate based on 10 or fewer sample cases.
Injuries sustained in attacks 278,580 100%
Rape/sexual assault 38,590 13.9*
Serious injuries 52,080 18.7
Minor or other injuries 276,440 99.2
Note: Details sum to more than 100% because
multiple responses were permitted.
*Estimate based on 10 or fewer sample cases.
Threats
Stalkers made one or more threats to 43% of victims
(table 13). Stalking offenders were most likely to threaten to
hit, slap, or otherwise harm the victim (13.6%) or to kill the
victim (12.1%). Somewhat less likely was the stalker threat-
ening to kill himself or herself (9.2%). Less than 5% of the
threats involved harm to a child, friend, co-worker, pet, or
the threat of rape or sexual assault.
Stalking victimization was equally likely to be reported
to police whether the victim was male or female
For violent crime more generally, victimizations experi-
enced by females are more likely to be reported to the
police than those experienced by males. However, this pat-
tern of reporting by gender is not observed for the crime of
stalking. Male and female stalking victimizations were
equally likely to be reported to the police (table 14). Thirty-
seven percent of male and 41% of female victimizations
were reported to the police by the victim or another person
aware of the crime.
The most common reasons for not reporting stalking victim-
ization to the police were that it was a private or personal
matter or that it was a minor incident (appendix table 12).
About 40% of victims stated that police were contacted
once regarding the stalking, while 3% of victims stated that
police were contacted in excess of 15 times (appendix
table 13). Stalking victimization was most often reported to
the police by the victim (83%), the victim’s family (26%), or
a friend or neighbor (12%) (appendix table 14).
8 Stalking Victimization in the United States
Table 12. Other crimes perpetrated by the offender against
the stalking or harassment victim
Percent of victims
All Stalking Harassment
Property damage 15.9% 24.4% 4.0%
Damaged property of victim or
someone in victim's household 9.5 15.0 1.8
Illegally entered house/apart-
ment 8.6 13.2 2.2
Illegally entered car 3.8 6.3 0.5*
Attacked victim 12.3% 21.0% 0.0%
Hit/slapped/knocked down 7.2 12.3 ~
Choked or strangled victim 2.4 4.2 ~
Attacked victim with a weapon 2.4 4.0 ~
Chased or dragged with a car 2.1 3.5 ~
Raped/sexually assaulted victim 0.9 1.6 ~
Attacked or attempted to attack
in some other way 4.3 7.3 ~
Attacked person/pet other than
victim 8.8% 15.0 4.0%
Attack or attempt to attack
a family member 3.5 6.0 ~
Attack or attempt to attack
a friend or co-worker 3.4 5.8 ~
Attack or attempt to attack a pet 2.2 3.7 ~
Attack or attempt to attack a child 2.2 3.7 ~
Number of victims 5,857,030 3,424,100 2,432,930
*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.
~Not applicable. Harassment victims by definition were not attacked,
nor were their friends, co-workers, family members, or pets.
Table 13. Threats offenders made against stalking victims
Percent of victims
Number Percent
Total 3,392,520 100%
No threats made 1,927,020 56.8%
Threatened to— 1,465,510 43.2%
Hit/slap/harm 462,610 13.6
Kill victim 411,830 12.1
Harm or kill self 313,580 9.2
Harm with a weapon 242,420 7.1
Harm another family member 209,770 6.2
Harm or kidnap child 166,230 4.9
Harm friend or co-worker 151,460 4.5
Harm a pet 87,020 2.6
Rape/sexually assault 56,050 1.7
Other way 511,530 15.1
Note: Table excludes 0.9% of stalking victims due to missing data.
Details sum to more than 100% because multiple responses were
permitted.
Stalking victims report differing experiences with the
criminal justice system
When contacted about a stalking victimization, the most
common police response was to take a report. More than
half of police officers took a report when contacted regard-
ing the stalking (appendix table 15). Seventeen percent of
responding officers gave the victim self-protection advice,
while 8% of the officers arrested the perpetrator.
Nearly 20% of victims stated the police took no action when
contacted. Of this 20%, victims were equally likely to per-
ceive that no action was taken by law enforcement
because police did not want to get involved (29%), had no
legal authority (18%), or were inefficient or ineffective
(16%) (appendix table 16). About 50% of victims perceived
the stalking situation stayed the same after contacting the
police (appendix table 17). Victims were equally likely to
perceive the situation “improved” or “worsened” following a
report to the police. For victims who had contacted police
on more than one occasion, the survey recorded only the
police action taken in response to the latest call.
A fifth of victims filed charges against the stalking perpetra-
tor (appendix table 18). Of those individuals filing charges,
3 out of 10 victims stated the outcome was still pending or
that a restraining, protection, or stay away order was
issued to deal with the offender. Victims were equally likely
to report being satisfied (46%) or dissatisfied (49%) with
the criminal justice system’s responses to their stalking
incident (appendix table 19) and were generally split on the
helpfulness or lack of helpfulness of criminal justice repre-
sentatives, with one exception: some victims said that vic-
tim advocates were helpful (6%) during the criminal justice
process (appendix table 20).
Table 14. Percent of stalking and harassment victimizations reported to the police, by victim gender
Percent of victims
All Stalking Harassment
Male Female Male Female Male Female
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Reported 20.6 32.8 36.8 41.0 6.8 13.9
Not reported 79.4 67.2 63.2 59.0 93.2 86.1
Number of victims 1,941,650 3,637,570 892,340 2,528,990 1,049,320 1,108,580
Note: Table excludes 4.5% of all male victims, 4.9% of all female victims, 0.1% of female st
harassment victims, and 14.2% of female harassment victims due to missing data.
alking victims, 8% of male
Stalking Victimization in the United States 9
Methodology
The Supplemental Victimization Survey (SVS) was admin-
istered as a supplement to the National Crime Victimization
Survey (NCVS) during January through June, 2006. All
NCVS respondents age 18 and older were eligible for the
supplement. About 65,270 persons participated in the sup-
plemental survey. The response rate for eligible individuals
was 83%.
The estimates presented in this report are annual preva-
lence estimates for persons age 18 or older victimized by
stalking or other harassing behaviors during the 12 months
prior to the interview. Since the interviews were conducted
during the first 6 months of 2006, the majority of the stalk-
ing behaviors occurred during 2005.
The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) and the
Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) convened a 1-day forum
with experts in the area of stalking and violence against
women. Researchers, law enforcement officials, prosecu-
tors, and victim advocates comprised the expert group.
Also included in the group were representatives from the
Census Bureau, the federal agency that carries out survey
development and data collection for BJS. The purpose of
the 1-day forum was to discuss definitional and method-
ological issues surrounding the crime of stalking, determine
where gaps in current information on stalking existed, and
determine how the SVS could further research and knowl-
edge regarding this crime.
Following this meeting, a small federal working group was
formed with representatives from OVW, BJS, and the Cen-
sus Bureau. The working group met weekly for approxi-
mately 12 months until a satisfactory survey instrument
was completed and approved. During the last phase of the
survey development, the Census Bureau conducted cogni-
tive interviews with stalking victims around the United
States to test the reliability and validity of the instrument.
Changes to the instrument were made to incorporate find-
ings from these interviews.
The name of the SVS intentionally does not indicate that
the focus of the supplemental survey is stalking. This deci-
sion was made to avoid biasing the responses of individu-
als and the subsequent estimates. The respondents had to
state that they experienced all of the following in order for a
course of behavior to be counted as stalking victimization:
• at least one of the harassing behaviors in the stalking
screener
• harassing behavior more than one time on separate
days
• at least one of the harassing contacts occurred during
the 12 months prior to the interview
• they feared for their own or a family member’s safety or
experienced another crime committed by the offender
that would make a reasonable person fearful (see the
survey screen questions on the next page).
Victim perception of whether behavior was stalking
The SVS screened victims to determine whether they
met the behavioral criteria of having unwanted or
harassing contacts on more than one occasion during
the past year that made them feel annoyed, fearful, anx-
ious, or concerned. Researchers specifically avoided
using the term “stalked” throughout the questionnaire so
as not to bias findings based on the victim’s perception
of what was occurring. The final question in the supple-
ment asked whether the victim perceived the unwanted
contacts or harassing behaviors to be stalking. Stalking
victims were more than twice as likely as harassment
victims to label the unwanted behavior as stalking
(54% versus 21%).
Victim perception of
whether behavior was
Percent of victims
Victims of harassment met all the requirements for stalking
victimization except those associated with induced fear or
the commission of additional associated crimes. Harassing
acts by bill collectors, telephone solicitors, or other sales
people were excluded from the estimates of stalking and
harassment.
Standard error computations
Comparisons of percentages and rates made in this report
were tested to determine if observed differences were sta-
tistically significant. Differences described as higher, lower,
or different passed a test at the 0.05 level of statistical sig-
nificance (95% confidence level). Differences described as
somewhat, lightly, marginally, or some indication passed a
test at the 0.10 level of statistical significance (90% confi-
dence level). Caution is required when comparing esti-
mates not explicitly discussed in the report.
stalking All Stalking Harassment
Total 100% 100% 100%
Considered to be—
Stalking 40.3% 53.6% 20.7%
Not stalking 59.7 46.4 79.3
Number of victims 5,588,150 3,325,220 2,262,940
Note: Table excludes 4.6% of all victims, 2.9% of stalking victims,
and 7.0% of harassment victims due to missing data.
The final question on the survey asked, “Do you consider the series
of unwanted contacts or harassing behavior you told me about to be
stalking?”
10 Stalking Victimization in the United States
Screener questions for stalking behaviors
Now, I would like to ask you some questions about
3. Other than the attacks or attempted attacks you
any unwanted contacts or harassing behavior you
just told me about, during the last 12 months, did this
may have experienced that frightened, concerned,
person threaten to...
angered, or annoyed you. Please include acts
a. kill you
committed by strangers, casual acquaintances,
b. rape or sexually assault you
friends, relatives, and even spouses and partners.
c. harm you with a weapon
I want to remind you that the information you provide
d. hit, slap, or harm you in some other way
is confidential.
e. harm or kidnap a child
1. Not including bill collectors, telephone solicitors, or
f. harm another family member
other sales people, has anyone, male or female,
g. harm a friend or co-worker
EVER – frightened, concerned, angered or annoyed
h. harm a pet
you by …
i. harm or kill himself/herself
a. Making unwanted phone calls to you or leaving
4. What were you most afraid of happening as these
messages?
unwanted contacts or behaviors were occurring?
b. Sending unsolicited or unwanted letters, e-mails, or
a. death
other forms of written correspondence or communi-
b. physical/bodily harm
cation?
c. harm or kidnap respondent's child
c. Following you or spying on you?
d. harm current partner/boyfriend/girlfriend
d. Waiting outside or inside places for you such as your
e. harm other family members
home, school, workplace, or recreation place?
f. don't know what would happen
e. Showing up at places where you were even though
he or she had no business being there?
Questions used to measure fear
f. Leaving unwanted items, presents, or flowers?
1. How did the behavior of (this person/these
g. Posting information or spreading rumors about you
persons) make you feel when it FIRST started?
on the Internet, in a public place, or by word of
Anything else?
mouth?
f. None
a. anxious/concerned
b. annoyed/angry
c. frightened
Questions used to identify actions that would
d. depressed
cause a reasonable person to feel fear
e. helpless
1. In order to frighten or intimidate you, did this
f. sick
person attack or attempt to attack
g. suicidal
h. some other way – specify
a. a child
b. another family member
c. a friend or co-worker
2. How did you feel as the behavior progressed?
d. a pet
Anything else?
a. no change in feelings
2. During the last twelve months, did this person
b. anxious/concerned
attack or attempt to attack you by...
c. annoyed/angry
d. frightened
a. hitting, slapping, or knocking you down
e. depressed
b. choking or strangling you
f. helpless
c. raping or sexually assaulting you
g. sick
d. attacking you with a weapon
h. suicidal
e. chasing or dragging with a car
i. some other way - specify
f. attacking you in some other way
Stalking Victimization in the United States 11
Appendix table 1. Perceived age of the stalking offender, by age of the
victim
Offender age Age of the victim
18-20 21-29 30-39 40-49 50 or older
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Under 18 10.9* 0.7* 1.8* 2.1* 2.0*
18-20 41.6 5.7 2.3* 2.9* 1.0*
21-29 23.3 48.2 13.8 8.8 3.8*
30-39 5.1* 23.0 37.6 16.7 16.3
40-49 6.7* 7.7 20.8 34.2 18.7
50 or older 2.4* 5.9 9.9 21.6 34.6
Age of offender
unknown 10.0* 8.8 13.9 13.7 23.6
Number of victims 349,490 929,080 752,690 722,890 663,660
Note: Table excludes missing data about offenders from 0.8% of stalking victims
age 30 to 39.
*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.
Appendix table 2. Perceived race of the stalking offender, by race of
the victim
Victim race
Offender race White Black Some other race
Total 100% 100% 100%
White 82.8 12.5* 45.4
Black 5.2 65.6 16.0*
Some other race 7.6 11.8* 29.8
Race of offender unknown 4.3 10.1* 8.8*
Number of victims
*Based on 10 or fewer sample
2,582,360
cases.
328,900 160,400
Appendix table 3. Number of stalking offenders
perceived by victim
Percent of victims
Total 100%
One 62.1
Two 18.2
Three or more 13.1
Number unknown 6.5
Number of victims 3,398,630
Note: Table excludes 0.7% of stalking victims due to
missing data.
Appendix table 4. Employment status of the stalking
offenders, as perceived by victims
Percent of
victims
Total 10 0 %
Employed 42.1
Unemployed 24.9
Sometimes employed/unemployed 6.4
Victim unable to determine employment status 26.6
Number of victims 3,420,450
Note: Table excludes 0.1% of stalking victims du
data.
e to missing
Appendix table 5. Stalking victims’ perceptions of
offenders’ previous problems with the law
Percent of
victims
Total 100%
Offender had problems with the law 35.9
Offender did not have problems with the law 26.3
Victim unable to determine if offender had
problems with the law 37.8
Number of victims 3,410,710
Note: Table excludes data about offenders from 0.4% of
stalking victimizations.
Appendix table 6. Frequency of stalking during
the 12 months prior to the interview
Number Percent of victims
Total 3,416,100 100%
1-2 times/year 381,540 11.2
1-2 times/month 565,790 16.6
1-2 times/week 770,380 22.6
Almost every day 576,960 16.9
At least once a day 204,860 6.0
No set pattern 864,920 25.3
Don’t know 51,650 1.5
Note: Table excludes 0.2% of stalking victims due to miss-
ing data.
12 Stalking Victimization in the United States
Appendix table 7. Victims’ perceptions of whether stalking
had stopped and reasons it stopped
Number Percent of victims
Total 3,404,110 100%
Stalking ongoing 1,234,330 36.3%
Stalking stopped 1,976,050 58.0%
Respondent took measures
Victim talked to stalker 263,790 13.3%
Victim moved 214,150 10.8
Victim changed phone or email 210,910 10.7
Restraining/protection/stay away
order 187,220 9.5
Victim got married or started new
relationship 40,390 2.0
Perpetrator stopped behavior
Stalker moved 172,220 8.7%
Stalker was arrested or incarcer-
ated 129,470 6.6
Stalker started a new relationship 80,580 4.1
Stalker got help/counseling 48,130 2.4
Stalker died 9,320 0.5*
Others intervened
Police warned stalker 309,080 15.6%
Friend or relative intervened 240,350 12.2
Others intervened 163,020 8.2
Employer intervened 105,490 5.3
School staff intervened 42,230 2.1
Other reason 501,730 25.4%
Don't know why stalking stopped 297,230 15.0%
Don't know whether stalking
stopped 208,940 10.6%
Note: Table excludes 0.6% of stalking victims due to missing data. Details
sum to more than 100% because multiple responses were permitted.
Appendix table 8. Time lost from work for any reason
as a result of stalking victimization
Number Percent of victims
Total 3,388,550 100%
Not working 708,070 20.9
Working 2,680,470 79.1
Reason for time lost from work
Fear or concern for safety 350,940 13.1%
Getting a restraining/protection
order or testifying in court 320,450 12.0
Changing phone number/moving/
fixing damaged property 183,120 6.8
Note: Table excludes 1% of cases due to missing data. Details sum to
more than 100% because multiple responses were permitted.
Appendix table 9. Amount of time victims lost
from work for any reason as a result of stalking
Number Percent of victims
Total 540,360 100%
Less than a day 76,060 14.1
1 day 51,920 9.6
2 days 57,540 10.6
3 days 42,830 7.9
4 days 24,900 4.6*
5-9 days 77,350 14.3
10-24 days 60,690 11.2
25 or more days 78,420 14.5
Don't know 70,650 13.1
Note: Table excludes 2.5% of stalking victims due to miss-
ing data. Total based on victims who had a job and lost
time from work. Detail may not sum to 100% due to
rounding.
*Estimate based on 10 or fewer sample cases.
Appendix table 10. Out-of-pocket costs to victims
as a result of stalking
Number Percent of victims
Total 3,358,800 100%
$0 2,080,230 61.9
$1-99 193,060 5.7
$100-249 151,460 4.5
$250-499 90,420 2.7
$500-999 89,730 2.7
$1,000-2,499 155,010 4.6
$2,500-4,999 91,350 2.7
$5,000 or more 188,110 5.6
Don't know 319,430 9.5
Note: Table excludes 1.9% of stalking victims due to miss-
ing data. Detail may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
Appendix table 11. Amount of employment income
lost as a result of stalking victimization
Number Percent of victims
Total 296,450 100%
$1-99 44,340 15.0
$100-999 110,430 37.2
$1,000-2,499 40,620 13.7
$2,500-4,999 17,990 6.1
$5,000 or more 23,690 8.0
Don’t know 59,450 20.1
Note: Table excludes 3.3% of stalking victims due to miss-
ing data.
Stalking Victimization in the United States 13
Appendix table 12. Victim reasons for not reporting
stalking to police
Percent of victims
Appendix table 14. Identity of person reporting stalking
to police
Percent of victims
Dealt with another way
Private or personal matter 26.7%
Reported to another official 13.6
Not important enough to report
Minor incident 27.2
Not clear a crime occurred 11.2
Police couldn't help
Couldn't identify offender/lacked evidence 9.5
Had no legal authority 3.0
Lacked correct protection, stay away, or
restraining order 0.5*
Police wouldn't help
Police wouldn't think it was important/would
be ineffective 11.0
Police wouldn't believe respondent/would
blame respondent 4.0
Previous negative experience with police 1.5*
Perpetrator was a police officer 0.8*
Feared the perpetrator
Afraid of reprisal 5.9
Other reasons
Protect perpetrator/perpetrator was ex-
spouse or ex-partner 6.9
Contacts/behavior stopped 5.9
For the sake of the children 3.8
Respondent felt ashamed/embarrassed 3.3
Respondent or perpetrator moved away 1.3*
Other 17.6
Don’t know 1.2*
Number of victims 2,055,080
Note: Table excludes 1.9% of stalking victims due to missing
data. Details sum to more than 100% because multiple
responses are permitted.
*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.
Victim 83.0%
Victim's family 26.2
Friend/neighbor 11.5
Other 4.1
Employer/co-worker 2.3*
Social worker/counselor 1.4*
School official 1.4*
Security guard 1.2*
Clergy/pastor/priest 0.5*
Stranger/bystander 0.5*
Doctor/nurse 0.5*
Don't know 1.6*
Number of victims 1,350,130
Note: Table excludes 1.2% of stalking victims due to missing
data. Details sum to more than 100% because multiple
responses were permitted.
*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.
Appendix table 15. Types of action taken by police after
most recent contact about stalking
Percent of victims
Took a report 55.3%
Talked to/warned offender 32.2
Suggested protection, stay away or
restraining order 20.1
Gave victim self-protection advice 17.4
Referred victim to court 8.9
Arrested offender 7.7
Asked for more evidence 6.4
Referred victim to victim services 5.4
Moved respondent to another location 1.3*
Don't know 4.1
Took no action 18.8
Number of victims
1,343,090
Appendix table 13. Number of police contacts
regarding stalking during the last 12 months
Percent of victims
Total 100%
1 39.7
2 22.1
3 12.9
4 6.4
5-10 11.9
11-15 3.7
More than 15 3.2
Number of victims 1,240,280
Note: Table excludes 9.2% of stalking victims
due to missing data.
Note: Table excludes 1.7% of stalking victims due to missing data.
Details sum to more than 100% because multiple responses were
permitted.
*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.
Appendix table 16. Stalking victims’ perceptions about why
police did not take action
Percent of victims
Didn't want to get involved 28.6%
Had no legal authority 17.7
Police were inefficient/ineffective 16.2
Didn't believe victim 13.2*
Didn't have enough evidence 11.2*
Offender was a police officer 5.7*
Could not find/identify offender 4.0*
Lacked or had incorrect protection order 3.0*
Thought it was victim's fault 2.9*
Didn't find out until too late 2.8*
Other 36.3
Number of victims 240,030
Note: Table excludes 4.9% of stalking victims due to missing
data. Details sum to more than 100% because multiple
responses were permitted.
*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.
14 Stalking Victimization in the United States
Appendix table 17. Victim perceptions of outcomes after
first reporting stalking to police
Percent of victims
Appendix table 19. Stalking victim satisfaction with
criminal justice outcome
Percent of victims
Total 100%
Situation got better 28.2
Situation got worse 22.9
Situation stayed the same 48.9
Number of victims 1,325,720
Total 100%
Victim satisfied with outcome 45.7
Victim not satisfied with outcome 49.0
Don't know if satisfied with outcome 5.2*
Number of victims 169,040
Note: Table excludes 3% of stalking victims due to missing
data.
Appendix table 18. Percent of stalkings in which criminal
justice charges were filed and outcomes
Percent
Total 100%
Charges not filed 71.5
Charges filed 21.0
Still pending 33.3%
**
Restraining, protection, stay away order 28.5
Jailed or imprisoned 18.0
Court intervention/counseling program 12.2*
Convicted or guilty 12.0*
Fine was imposed 11.8*
Dismissed or not guilty 9.1*
Probation 8.5*
Other 12.9*
Don't know outcome of charges filed 5.1*
Don't know if charges filed 7.5
Number of victims 1,329,790
Note: Table excludes 13.5% of stalking victims that filed
charges due to missing data. Detail may not sum to 100%
due to rounding.
*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.
Appendix table 20. Stalking victim perceptions about
helpfulness of officials in the criminal justice system
Percent of victims who perceived
official as—
Helpful Not helpful
Patrol/police officer/sheriff 43.0% 41.9%
911 dispatcher 3.6 2.8
Detective 5.3 3.0
Prosecutor/District Attorney 6.9 7.8
Judge 7.4 7.2
Victim advocate 5.7 2.0*
Someone else 8.9 8.0
No person was helpful 36.0 ~
No person was unhelpful ~ 40.3
Victim did not provide response 3.3 2.7*
Number of victims 1,359,060 1,359,060
Note: Table excludes 2.7% of stalking victims that did not respond to
whether charges were filed and 9.4% of victims that did not respond
to the outcome of charges filed.
*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.
**
Details sum to more than 100% because multiple responses were
permitted.
Note: Details sum to more than 100% because multiple responses
were permitted.
~Not applicable.
*Based on 10 or fewer sample cases.
Stalking Victimization in the United States 15
U.S. Department of Justice
*NCJ~224527*
Office of Justice Programs
Bureau of Justice Statistics
Washington, DC 20531
Official Business
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available at the BJS World Wide Web Internet site:
<http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/svus.htm>.
Office of Justice Programs
Innovation • Partnerships • Safer Neighborhoods
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov
The Bureau of Justice Statistics is the statistical agency
of the U.S. Department of Justice. Michael D. Sinclair
is deputy director.
This report was written by Katrina Baum, Ph.D.,
Shannan Catalano, Ph.D., Michael Rand, and Kristina
Rose. Cathy Maston, Patsy Klaus, Lara Allen, and
Thomas Cohen provided statistical review. Tina Dorsey
produced the report, Catherine Bird and Jill Duncan
edited the report, and Jayne E. Robinson prepared the
report for final printing.
January 2009, NCJ 224527
16 Stalking Victimization in the United States
