What is stalking?

Stalking is a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause

a reasonable person to feel fear.

Stalking is serious, often violent, and can escalate over time.

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As defined by North Dakota law:

"Stalk" means:

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1. To engage in an intentional course of conduct directed at a specific person

which frightens, intimidates, or harasses that person and which serves

no legitimate purpose. The course of conduct may be directed toward that person or a member of that person's immediate family and must cause a reasonable person to experience fear, intimidation, or harassment; or

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2. The unauthorized tracking of the person's movements or location through the use of a global positioning system or other electronic means that would cause a reasonable person to be frightened, intimidated, or harassed and which serves no legitimate purpose.

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Some things stalkers do:

• Follow you and show up wherever you are.

• Send unwanted gifts, letters, cards, or e-mails.

• Damage your home, car, or other property.

• Monitor your phone calls or computer use.

• Use technology, like hidden cameras or global positioning systems (GPS), to track where you go.

• Drive by or hang out at your home, school, or work.

• Threaten to hurt you, your family, friends, or pets.

• Find out about you by using public records or online search services, hiring investigators, going through your garbage, or contacting friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers.

• Posting information or spreading rumors about you on the Internet, in a public place, or by word of mouth.

• Other actions that control, track, or frighten you.