Carolina Law BlogGovernor McCrory Declares January 2016 Stalking Awareness Month in North Carolina
- Signed January 4, 2016
- First Governor in the United States to Sign Proclamation
- Commends Observance to all Citizens
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The General Assembly recognizes that stalking includes, but is not limited to, a pattern of following, observing, or monitoring the victim, or committing violent or intimidating acts against the victim, regardless of the means
What is “Stalking” in North Carolina:
- North Carolina General Statute 14-277.3A
- Course of Conduct
- Harasses or Harassment
- Reasonable Person in Victim’s Circumstances
- Substantial Emotional Distress
Punishments for Stalking:
- Class A1 Misdemeanor
- Class F Felony for Defendant who commits the offense of stalking after having been previously convicted of a stalking offense
- Class H Felony for Defendant who commits the offense of stalking when there is a court order in effect prohibiting the conduct described under this section by the defendant against the victim
Legal Information: Assault on a Female Charges
Modified Transcript of “Stalking Awareness Month in North Carolina” for the Hearing Impaired:
Governor McCrory: There’s an issue that’s been around for a long time, that we’re going to bring out to public light, and that issue is stalking. It’s an issue that we don’t talk about enough, but it is one that impacts people of all ages and all backgrounds. Seven and a half million people are victims of stalking every year in the United States. A majority of these victims are stalked by someone that they actually know. About half of all the victims of stalking indicated that they were stalked before the age of 25, with 14% of female victims and 16% of male victims experiencing stalking between the early ages of 11 and 17. Data also shows that many victims of murders or domestic violence were also victims of previous stalking. These figures are tremendously eye opening, and I’m proud of what we have done to address this issue of stalking right here in North Carolina. In fact, last year, working with Secretary Perry, we expanded the Cyber Stalking statute to include using a GPS device to track or determine the position or movement of another person. It’s using new technology to help us with an old problem. We’ve also fought for an secured $1.6 million in the budget for what we call Hero Grants, to promote hiring veterans to utilize technology and data analysis to locate and rescue children at risk of exploitation, another serious issue too often connected with stalking. While we have made great progress, we know that we need to continue working together, in our communities, and on the state level, to raise awareness and combat this serious crime. I’m sure law enforcement can tell us also that methods used by stalkers are constantly changing with new technology, and using new technology to help stalk people also. We need to be innovative to keep pace with technology that is often used against both young men and women, and boys and girls. That’s why I’m proud here to sign today a proclamation declaring January as stalking awareness month in North Carolina. We are proud to be part of a national effort to raise awareness of this issue. By doing so, we hope to prevent crimes from happening, rather than respond to them. Make people aware of this, so they’ll have the courage to let law enforcement and their parents and friends know that they’re being stalked, that they’re not the only ones, and they’re in this with other people who want to help them. Finally, this day would not be possible without the advocacy of several individuals. But there’s one individual that I’d like to recognize, and that’s Noor Sandhu. Noor, it’s been great getting to know you. She is an advocate, because she has personally had this issue impact her. It takes the courage of a young person to step up and talk to not only her peers, but her mom, and even her grandmother, to say this is possibly happening. How can we make sure this doesn’t happen to other individuals? Today we’d like to recognize and thank everyone on the front lines who are addressing this crime and raising awareness, and also remember all the victims of stalking, as well as domestic violence, which is a very serious issue, and other types of related crime. Together, we can make a difference by first letting people know that this is a serious issue, that they’re not alone, and that there is help for them. That’s what we’re doing today. So on behalf of the state of North Carolina, it is my honor to sign an official proclamation of Stalking Awareness Month.