Do Stalkers Become Violent? What Research and Government Data Say

What the Government Data Says

Federal agencies treat stalking as dangerous in its own right, not just a nuisance.

• The Office of Justice Programs describes stalking as dangerous and potentially lethal.
• In the National Violence Against Women Survey (1995-96), about 80 percent of women stalked by a current or former partner had also been physically assaulted by that partner (NIJ).
• In BJS data, 67% of victims who experienced both in-person stalking and stalking with technology feared being killed or physically harmed (Stalking Victimization, 2019).

Fear is not proof of violence, but it is a legitimate signal. Victims often sense danger before outsiders can see it.

Stalking and Partner Violence

Stalking often occurs alongside other abuse in intimate relationships. In the National Violence Against Women Survey, conducted by the National Institute of Justice and the CDC in 1995-96, about half of female stalking victims had been stalked by a current or former marital or cohabiting partner, and about 80 percent of those women had also been physically assaulted by that partner at some point in the relationship (NIJ summary). The Office of Justice Programs describes stalking as dangerous and potentially lethal. That is why professionals take stalking by a current or former partner so seriously.

Factors That Raise Risk

Threat assessment professionals commonly watch for these factors. The more that apply, the more concerning the situation.

• The stalker is a current or former intimate partner.
• There has been past physical or sexual violence.
• The stalker has made threats, especially threats to kill.
• The stalker has access to a weapon.
• The behavior is getting more frequent, more intense, or more personal.
• The stalker is fixated on you and cannot accept the relationship has ended.
• You have recently left or are about to leave.
• The stalker has talked about suicide.

Why "No Threats" Does Not Mean "No Danger"

Many people wait for an explicit threat before taking action. But research and practice show that threats are not the only signal, and a stalker can become violent without announcing it. Pay attention to a pattern of escalation: more contact, showing up in new places, contacting your family or workplace, or learning your routines. Our article on stalking warning signs and violence risk walks through the progression.

What to Do If You Fear Violence

Plan for safety before an emergency.

• Create a written safety plan with a safe contact, a code word, and a place to go.
• Document every incident, including contact you ignored.
• Report threats and stalking to police. See how to report stalking.
• Ask about a protective order. Our protective order guide explains the options.
• If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

Talking to Police About Your Fear

Officers can only respond to what they know. When you report, describe the facts that matter for risk, not only the unwanted messages.

• Any past violence, even if it was never reported.
• Any threats, with exact words and dates.
• Whether the stalker owns or has access to weapons.
• How the behavior has changed over time.
• Whether you have recently left the relationship.

Ask whether the department uses a risk assessment for stalking cases, and ask about protective orders. Our guide on how to report a stalker to the police includes a checklist of what to bring.

If You Are Supporting Someone Who Is Afraid

Believe them. People who are being stalked often minimize what is happening because they are exhausted or want to avoid conflict. Help them write down incidents, accompany them to a police report if they want, and avoid confronting the stalker yourself, which can escalate the situation. Encourage a plan, and learn about threats in stalking cases.

Understanding Escalation: Stages and Speed

Escalation does not follow a script. Some stalkers intensify slowly over months. Others move quickly after a trigger, such as a breakup, a court date, or a new relationship. Escalation can show up as more frequent contact, new methods, contact with more people in your life, appearing in new places, increasingly personal or hostile messages, and finally threats or physical confrontation.

You may notice a shift in tone: pleading becomes anger, or apparent calm becomes cold fixation. You may also notice the person learning more about your routine. Treat any of these changes as a reason to update your plan, document the change, and tell police. See stalking warning signs and violence risk.

Weapons and Stalking

Access to weapons is one of the factors that most concerns threat assessment professionals, particularly in cases involving a current or former partner. If the person owns or has access to firearms or has talked about using a weapon, tell police and the court, and include it in any request for a protective order. Federal law restricts firearm possession for people subject to certain protection orders, and many states have additional rules. Ask the court clerk or an attorney how these apply where you live.

If you fear the person may have a weapon, increase your precautions: vary routines, avoid being alone with the person, and tell trusted people. Call 911 if you see a weapon or feel in immediate danger.

Suicide Threats and Escalating Danger

Some stalkers threaten suicide, especially after a separation. This is a recognized warning sign that professionals take seriously, both because the person may be in crisis and because desperation can accompany danger to others. Don't try to manage it alone. If someone threatens to harm themselves, call 911 or 988 and tell police about the threat. Don't meet the person or negotiate. You are not responsible for another person's choices, and protecting yourself is not abandoning them.

How Risk Can Change After Legal Steps

Protective orders, arrests, and reports are important, and they can also be moments of increased risk. A person may react to being served with an order or to learning that police are involved. That is not a reason to avoid the steps. It is a reason to plan for them.

• Time the steps carefully if you can, and tell someone before the person is served.
• Have your safety plan ready, including a place to stay.
• Give your employer, school, and neighbors a copy of any order.
• Report violations immediately.

Read protection against stalking and use the Safety Plan tool.

A Plan for the Next 24 Hours If You Fear Violence

If you believe someone who is stalking you may become violent, focus on the next day, not on solving everything at once. Avoid being alone with the person, and avoid places where they know to find you. Tell at least one trusted person exactly what you fear, and agree on a code word. Save and back up any threats. Call the police to report what has happened, including any history of violence or weapons, and ask about protective orders and emergency options. Review where you would go if you had to leave quickly, and pack essentials. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. The Safety Plan tool can turn these steps into a printable plan.

Where to Turn for Help

You don't have to judge the danger alone. Police can document what is happening and explain protective orders. A victim advocate in a prosecutor's or police office can help you plan, and the Office for Victims of Crime directory lists programs in your state. If you feel overwhelmed, call or text 988. Our State Reporting Guide links to official contacts for your state, and the Risk Assessment can help you describe your situation clearly to others.

Your fear is data. You don't need to prove that violence will happen before you are allowed to protect yourself.

Sources and further reading

• Stalking (Office of Justice Programs)
• CDC: NISVS 2023/2024 Stalking Data Brief (Sept. 2025)
• Stalking Victimization, 2019 (Bureau of Justice Statistics)