Stalking Awareness Month 2026: All You Need to Know
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Stalking Awareness Month brings awareness to the dangerous and often misunderstood crime of stalking, which affects roughly 13.5 million people in the US alone each year. This day aims to raise awareness, provide resources for victims, and advocate for stronger legal protections. So, we had to ask: What is the most important information you need to know about this year’s Stalking Awareness Month?
👉 Official Name: Stalking Awareness Month
💚 Cause: Raise awareness and advocate for stalking prevention
📅 Next Date: January 1-31, 2026
🌐 Official Website: https://www.stalkingawareness.org/stalking-awareness-month/
🐦 Hashtag: #StalkingAwareness #KnowItNameItStopIt
Keep on reading to find out all the important information about Stalking Awareness Month at a glance, including its big picture, why it’s important, and how you can get involved. We’ll then share its brief history, three interesting facts about it, its future dates, and how you’ll never miss any important awareness event again.
The Most Important Information About Stalking Awareness Month at a Glance
1️⃣ The big picture: Stalking Awareness Month highlights the pervasive and dangerous nature of stalking, a crime that will impact approximately 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men in their lifetime. Over 80% of stalking victims know their stalker, and it is often intertwined with domestic violence and other forms of abuse. Stalking Awareness Month encourages individuals to recognize stalking behaviors—such as repeated unwanted contact, following, or cyberstalking—support victims, and work to prevent the escalation of stalking, which can lead to physical violence.
2️⃣ Why it is important: Stalking Awareness Month is crucial because it brings attention to the prevalence and dangerous potential of stalking. For example, stalking is strongly linked to violence—1 in 5 stalkers use weapons to threaten or harm their victims, and 84% of intimate partner femicides were preceded by stalking in the year prior. Furthermore, the rise of cyberstalking has also become a pressing issue, with nearly 80% of stalking victims targeted through technology. Women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and young adults are particularly at risk, making awareness and education critical for prevention and protection.
3️⃣ How You Can Get Involved: You can support Stalking Awareness Month by learning more, sharing information, and engaging with local organizations:
- Learn the Warning Signs: Stalking is characterized by behaviors like unwanted attention, following, or threats. Educate yourself on the signs to recognize them in your community.
- Support Victim Advocacy: Organizations like the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center and the National Center for Victims of Crime offer resources for those affected by stalking. Donate, volunteer, or raise awareness in your area.
- Share and Spread Awareness: Use social media to share statistics, stories, and resources. The hashtags #StalkingAwareness and #KnowItNameItStopIt help amplify the message and reach more people.
Below are our favorite charities that are especially relevant for Stalking Awareness Month:
- Best Charities for Stalking Victims
- Best Charities for Victims of Crime
- Best Charities for Domestic Violence
A Brief History of Stalking Awareness Month
When was this event established: The National Center for Victims of Crime launched National Stalking Awareness Month in 2004 to raise public understanding of stalking. It originated from the efforts of the Stalking Resource Center (now known as the Stalking Prevention, Awareness and Resource Center), funded by the Office on Violence Against Women, to improve multidisciplinary responses to the crime. National Stalking Awareness Month was inspired by Debbie Riddle, whose sister Peggy Klinke was murdered by her stalker in 2003; Riddle sought to turn her family’s tragedy into a movement to enhance law enforcement’s response and prevent future stalking-related deaths.
How has it developed since then: Since its launch, National Stalking Awareness Month has sparked nationwide dialogues about stalking, resulting in significant advancements in stalking laws and protections. For instance, many states have strengthened legal definitions of stalking and streamlined processes for obtaining protection orders. Furthermore, increased funding and resources have been allocated to support victims, providing essential tools for those affected to access help and raise awareness about their rights. And, the first-ever Stalking Awareness Day of Action was held on January 18, 2024, to encourage individuals to wear their most sparkly clothes and accessories to raise awareness for the cause, using the hashtag #SparkleAgainstStalking.
3 Interesting Facts About Stalking Awareness Month
- Anti-stalking Laws are Relatively New: Stalking laws in the US have undergone considerable evolution over the last few decades, beginning with California’s enactment of the first anti-stalking laws in 1990, which were prompted by the tragic murder of actress Rebecca Schaeffer at the hands of a stalker. Since that time, every state has implemented its own stalking statutes.
- Stalking in the Media: Media portrayals of stalking often depict it as romantic or obsessive rather than the serious crime it is. This glamorization can lead to dangerous assumptions, with many individuals underestimating the severity of stalking or mistakenly viewing it as harmless infatuation, highlighting the need for accurate representations in media to foster better understanding and support for victims.
- Victim Impact: Stalking has a significant impact on victims, with stalked individuals experiencing higher rates of emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Victims may also face disruptions in their daily lives. For example, 1 in 8 stalking victims lose time at work due to their victimization, and 1 in 7 relocate to elude their stalker. Furthermore, approximately 46% of victims live in fear of not knowing what will happen next, and 29% fear that stalking will never stop, illustrating the pervasive dread and anxiety that stalking instills in their lives.
Upcoming Dates of Stalking Awareness Month
Stalking Awareness Month is observed every year during the entire month of January.
| Year | Date | Day(s) |
| 2026 | January 1-31 | Thursday-Saturday |
| 2027 | January 1-31 | Friday-Sunday |
| 2028 | January 1-31 | Saturday-Monday |
Never Miss an Awareness Event Again
Sources
- Stalking Prevention and Awareness Resource Center: Stalking Infographic
- Stalking Prevention and Awareness Resource Center: Stalk in the Media
- Stalking Prevention and Awareness Resource Center: Stalking Fact Sheet
- Stalking Prevention and Awareness Resource Center: Stalking Awareness Month
- Sage Publications: Stalking
- Stalking Prevention and Awareness Resource Center: Stalking and Domestic Violence
- Stalking Prevention and Awareness Resource Center: Definition and FAQs
- Stalking Prevention and Awareness Resource Center: Stalking and Firearms
- Stalking Prevention and Awareness Resource Center: Technology and Stalking
- Stalking Prevention and Awareness Resource Center: Stalking and the LGBTQ Community
- Stalking Prevention and Awareness Resource Center: Stalking and Adolescents
- Stalking Prevention and Awareness Resource Center: Home
- Victims of Crime: Home
- Stalking Prevention and Awareness Resource Center: Social Media Posts
- Stalking Prevention and Awareness Resource Center: About SPARC
- SPU: The History of Stalking Awareness Month
- Stalking Prevention and Awareness Resource Center: Stalking Laws Map
- Vanderbilt Law: Stalking Laws
- Office of Justice Programs: Anti-Stalking Legislation
- Department of Justice: Funding for Victims
- Stalking Prevention and Awareness Resource Center: Day of Action
