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What is stalking, and is it a crime?
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Posted on Jan 03 2005
Stalking is more commonly used to describe specific kinds of behavior, such as harassing, threatening, or unwanted contact by a particular person against another. For example, stalking may come in the form of repetitive prank phone calls or unwanted e-mails that threaten or harass you. It may also come in the form of being followed around and watched. For instance, you leave your work, only to find an individual is parked outside waiting for you and watching you. You then head to the store, and the same individual is there. Then you decide to go to the movies, and guess what? The same individual is there, as well.
Although behavior such as this may seem harmless at first, it may progress into a dangerous situation, placing the victim at risk of harm. Therefore, it is important to recognize that stalking is unwanted contact by an individual (stalker) that directly or indirectly communicates a threat or places another individual (victim) in fear and or danger.
Because of the fear and danger it places on the victim, stalking in the CNMI is a crime. In fact, stalking across state lines and or in federal territories is also considered illegal under federal law.
If you are being stalked, if you know someone who is being stalked, or if you would like to learn more about stalking, call:
* Victim Hotline at 234-5100
* Domestic Violence Intervention Center at 664-4583/4
If you are in imminent danger, call 911. (Esther Milne)
