A resolution raising awareness and encouraging the prevention of stalking by designating January 2025 as "National Stalking Awareness Month".

Bill Number: S.Res. 46
Origin Chamber: Senate
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Status: Passed Senate
Latest Action: 2025-01-29: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S488; text: CR S487)
Last Updated: 2026-06-17T15:19:38Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This Senate resolution aims to increase public awareness of stalking as a serious crime and promote efforts to prevent it, by officially designating January 2025 as "National Stalking Awareness Month." It highlights statistics on stalking's prevalence, impacts, and the need for better support systems.

Key Provisions

Background Facts ("Whereas" Clauses): The resolution outlines key data on stalking, including:
Lifetime victimization rates: About 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men experience stalking, leading to fear for their safety or others'.
Annual reports: Over 13.4 million people report stalking each year.
Common perpetrators: More than 80% are current or former intimate partners or acquaintances.
Threats and risks: Nearly 70% of female victims and 80% of male victims face physical harm threats; stalking is a major risk factor for intimate partner homicide (e.g., 3 in 4 female victims of such homicides were stalked beforehand).
Duration and frequency: 11% of victims are stalked for 5+ years; 2 in 3 stalkers contact victims weekly.
Victim responses: Many relocate, change jobs, or seek protection orders; victims often suffer higher rates of anxiety, insomnia, depression, and social issues.
Underreporting: Many victims do not contact police or services.
Legal status: Stalking is illegal under federal law, all state laws, D.C., territories, and military code.
Demographics: Affects all races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and economic groups; highest rates among 18-24-year-olds, with many cases starting before age 25.
Campus issues: 43% of college women stalked by partners also face assault; students with disabilities are twice as likely to be victimized.
Technology role: 80% of cases involve tech like calls, texts, social media, emails, or tracking; tech-facilitated stalking causes high fear levels.
History: January 2025 is the 21st anniversary of the first National Stalking Awareness Month.
Actions ("Resolved" Section):
Designates January 2025 as "National Stalking Awareness Month."
Applauds service providers, police, prosecutors, organizations, colleges, universities, and private entities for their anti-stalking efforts and victim support.
Encourages policymakers, criminal justice officials, victim services, human services, higher education institutions, and nonprofits to raise stalking awareness and expand victim services.
Urges national/community organizations, businesses, and media to promote stalking awareness during the month.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution with no legal force, so it introduces no changes to existing laws. Stalking remains a crime under current federal, state, and military statutes, but the resolution emphasizes the need for stronger investigations, prosecutions, and tailored victim services without enacting them.

Potential Impacts

On Citizens: May increase public education on stalking risks, recognition of symptoms (especially tech-based), and encouragement to report incidents, potentially reducing underreporting and helping more victims access support. It could empower young adults and college students, who face high rates.
On Government Agencies: Prompts federal, state, and local entities (e.g., police, prosecutors) to enhance responses, such as better training on stalking cases, though without funding or mandates.
On International Relations: No direct impact, as it focuses on domestic U.S. issues.
Overall: Symbolic boost to awareness campaigns, possibly leading to voluntary improvements in victim services and campus policies, but effects depend on follow-through by stakeholders.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Victims and Potential Victims: Individuals experiencing stalking, particularly women, young adults (18-24), college students, those with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people.
Support Organizations: National and local victim services, shelters, hotlines, nonprofits, and human service agencies providing counseling and aid.
Criminal Justice System: Police departments, prosecutors' offices, and courts handling stalking investigations and prosecutions.
Educational Institutions: Colleges and universities, responsible for campus safety and responses to stalking.
Private Sector and Media: Businesses (e.g., tech companies addressing online stalking) and media outlets promoting awareness.
Policymakers: Federal, state, and local officials influencing laws, funding, and programs for stalking prevention.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Reinforces stalking's status as a crime without altering statutes; highlights gaps in criminal justice responses (e.g., need for aggressive prosecution) and victim services, potentially influencing future legislation like expanded protections or tech regulations.
Constitutional: No implications, as it is a simple resolution that does not infringe on rights or require enforcement.
Political: Bipartisan (introduced by Sens. Klobuchar and Grassley), it signals Senate consensus on addressing gender-based violence and public health issues like mental health impacts of stalking. As a awareness tool, it could build momentum for policy reforms, such as increased funding for anti-stalking programs, without partisan controversy.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

Cosponsors (1)

Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]

Recent Actions

2025-01-29: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S488; text: CR S487)
2025-01-29: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
2025-01-29: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

Raising awareness and encouraging the prevention of stalking by designating January 2025 as National Stalking Awareness Month. — issued 2025-01-29 — PDF (4 pages)