January is National Stalking Awareness Month, a time to focus on a crime that affects 3.4 million victims a year. This year’s theme – “Stalking: Know it. Name it. Stop it.” – challenges the nation to fight this dangerous crime by learning more about it.

Stalking is a crime in all 50 states and the District of Colombia, yet many victims and criminal justice professionals underestimate its seriousness and impact.

In one of five cases, stalkers use weapons to harm or threaten victims, and stalking is one of the significant risk factors for homicide of women in abusive relationships.