January is National Stalking Awareness Month   

JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-St. Louis County, is making sure Missourians are talking about stalking, a complex issue impacting millions of people in the United States. 

January is National Stalking Awareness Month, an opportunity to recognize and respond to the serious and often violent crime of stalking. For the first time ever, the movement will observe Jan. 18, 2024, as the National Day of Action for Stalking Awareness.

“Let’s shed some light on this problem, stand together to support stalking victims and survivors, and cultivate a safer, more informed community,” said Sen. McCreery. “It’s important that everyone knows what stalking is and the steps to take if they suspect they’re being stalked.”

According to the president’s 2024 National Stalking Awareness Month Proclamation, stalking affects one in three women and one in six men in their lifetimes. 

“Stalking isn’t just unwanted attention. It’s a pattern of harassing or threatening behavior that makes victims worried for their safety or the safety of others,” said Sen. McCreery. “Stalking isn’t just physical either. It can happen online through cyberstalking. I have filed Senate Bill 1070 to create the ‘Stop Cyberstalking and Harassment Task Force’ to come up with solutions.”

Senate Bill 1070 is identical to Senate Bill 660 from the 2023 regular legislative session, which was included in Senate Bill 189, a criminal justice omnibus bill that was passed by the General Assembly and later vetoed by the governor.

For more information about Sen. McCreery, visit senate.mo.gov/McCreery.

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