Stalking

Stalking involves a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress or to fear for that person’s own safety or that of another. This includes cyberstalking, a particular form of stalking in which electronic media such as the Internet, social networks, blogs, texts, or other similar forms of contact are used to pursue, harass, or make unwelcome contact with another person. Stalking and cyberstalking may involve individuals who are known to one another or have an intimate or sexual relationship or may involve individuals not known to one another. For the purposes of this definition:

“Course of conduct” means two or more acts, including, but not limited to, acts in which the alleged stalker directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means, follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, or communicates to or about a person, or interferes with a person’s property.

“Reasonable person” means a prudent person who normally exercises due care under similar circumstances.

“Substantial emotional distress” means significant mental suffering or anguish that may, but does not necessarily, require medical or other professional treatment or counseling.