Stalking is generally a course conduct directed toward a specific person (or the person’s family, friends, or work associates) that would cause a reasonable person to be in fear of their safety, health, or well-being. Stalking includes (1) spying on a person; (2) waiting at a location to make unwanted contact with the victim, or to monitor the victim; (3) leaving unwanted items and gifts for the victim; and (4) posting or disseminating information or rumors about the victim on the internet, in a public place, or by word of mouth.

Stalkers may also use technology to harass their victim. Common forms of cyberstalking include:

• e-mail spoofing—sending e-mails pretending to be the victim • text messaging and sexting (sending sexually explicit text messages or photos)

• social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)—creating social media accounts and posting statements to harass, threaten, or denigrate the victim, or to impersonate the victim on social media

• online impersonation of the victim through a false identity or account to place online sex ads or solicit sex

• use of GPS to track the victim, including placing a GPS device on the victim’s car.

Stalking is a crime under federal law (18 U.S.C. §2261A) and in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Territories, and many Indian Tribes. In addition to stalking laws, every state has laws addressing electronic harassment, and federal law also criminalizes the use of technology to stalk (18 U.S.C. §2261A(2)).

Legal definitions for stalking and harassment vary from state to state and in the federal system—especially regarding the stalker’s intent and the nature of the victim’s fear or emotional distress caused by the stalking.

In North Carolina, stalking is addressed under North Carolina General Statutes § 14-277.3A. Stalking is defined as willfully engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or the safety of a close relation or to suffer substantial emotional distress by placing that person in fear of death, bodily injury, or continued harassment, that actually causes the victim to suffer substantial emotional distress. This includes behaviors such as spying, waiting at locations to contact or monitor the victim, leaving unwanted items, and disseminating information about the victim online or in public. Cyberstalking is also a crime in North Carolina, covered under § 14-196.3, and includes the use of electronic communication to harass, threaten, or embarrass individuals. The use of technology, such as email spoofing, sexting, social media harassment, online impersonation, and GPS tracking to stalk a victim, is encompassed within these statutes. Violations of these laws can result in criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the severity and nature of the conduct. Additionally, federal law under 18 U.S.C. § 2261A criminalizes stalking, including the use of technology to commit the offense, providing further legal recourse for victims.