Resources for Stalking Victims: Official Help in the U.S.

Start Here: Match Your Need to a Resource

• I am in danger right now: 911.
• I am overwhelmed or in crisis: call or text 988.
• I want to report stalking: local police or sheriff, then the prosecutor's office.
• I need to know my rights or get paperwork help: victim-witness units and state victim services.
• I want a protective order: your court clerk and your state's guide.
• The stalking is online: the platform, local police, and the FBI's IC3.
• I need counseling: FindTreatment.gov and your doctor.
• I want to plan and organize evidence: Stalking.org's free tools.

Each need is covered below.

Emergency and Crisis Help

Call 911 if you are in immediate danger. Call or text 988 if you are in emotional distress or thinking about harming yourself. Both are available at any hour. For more on what to say and how to call safely, read stalking hotline: who to call.

Police, Sheriffs, and Prosecutors

Stalking is a crime in every state, and police and prosecutors are the ones who investigate and charge it.

• Police or sheriff: report with a timeline and evidence, and ask for a report number. See how to report stalking.
• Prosecutor's victim-witness unit: provides information about the case, court dates, and your rights, and may offer a victim advocate.
• Campus police: if the stalker is connected to your school.

State Victim Services and Compensation

Every state has programs for crime victims. They can explain your rights, connect you to compensation for costs such as counseling and medical care, and assign an advocate or coordinator.

The Office for Victims of Crime lists these programs in its Help in Your State directory. Each of our state guides also lists the main statewide agencies, for example Michigan, Ohio, and Oregon. Ask whether stalking is covered by your state's compensation program and whether there are filing deadlines.

Courts and Protective Orders

Courts issue protective orders, and many have self-help centers and forms for people without lawyers. Names and rules differ by state. Read protection against stalking, check your state's guide, and use the TRO Builder to organize your facts.

Address Confidentiality and Offender Notification

Many states run address confidentiality programs that give survivors a substitute address, and notification systems that tell you when an offender is released. Ask your state's victim services or the prosecutor's office how to enroll. Our guide on stalker alerts explains how notifications work.

Federal Resources

• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: file a complaint about internet crime at IC3.
• Federal Trade Commission: report identity misuse at IdentityTheft.gov.
• Federal Communications Commission: learn about caller ID spoofing and complaints.
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency: Secure Our World covers account security.

Mental Health and Emotional Support

Being stalked takes a toll. Use FindTreatment.gov to locate mental health providers, talk to your doctor, and call or text 988 if you are in crisis. Read coping after being stalked and stalking support groups.

Work and School Resources

If the stalker is connected to your workplace or school, tell HR, security, or campus officials, and ask that your schedule and location be kept private. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission explains workplace harassment. Our Protection Guide covers workplace and campus scenarios.

What a Victim Advocate Does and How to Find One

A victim advocate can explain the process, help with paperwork, go with you to court, and connect you to services. Many advocates work in prosecutor, police, or sheriff offices. Ask about confidentiality first, because advocates in some government offices may have to share information with the case team. To find one, call your local prosecutor's office or use the Office for Victims of Crime directory.

Stalking.org's Free Tools

Stalking.org offers free tools that run in your browser: the Risk Assessment, Safety Plan, Evidence Auditor, Police Report tool, TRO Builder, and Data Broker Removal. Learn more in the Stalking Resource Center guide.

How to Prepare Before You Contact Any Resource

A little preparation makes every call or visit more productive. You don't need to be perfectly organized, but a few items help.

• A one-page timeline of what has happened, with dates, places, and what the person did or said. Rough notes are fine.
• Your evidence, such as messages, voicemails, call logs, and screenshots, with dates and sender details visible. The Evidence Auditor can tell you whether your records are complete.
• Identifying details about the stalker: name, phone numbers, usernames, vehicle, and addresses if you know them.
• A list of witnesses or people who know about the situation.
• Any prior reports or court papers, including earlier protective orders.
• A safe way to be reached, such as a phone number or email the stalker cannot access.
• A short list of questions, so that you don't forget something important when you are nervous.

If you are not ready to share everything, share what you can. You can add details later.

Questions to Ask Any Agency or Program

Whether you contact the police, a prosecutor's office, a court, or a victim services program, these questions help you understand what you can expect.

• What can you do for me, and what can't you do?
• What information will you need from me, and what happens to it?
• Is what I tell you confidential, and are there limits to that confidentiality?
• Is there a cost, and if so, can it be waived?
• What are the next steps, and how long do they usually take?
• Who should I contact if something changes or the stalker contacts me again?
• Can I get a copy of anything I sign or submit?

Write down the name and number of the person who helps you. A named contact makes follow-up much easier.

If a Resource Doesn't Work Out

Sometimes a call goes nowhere. An office is closed, a person is dismissive, or a form is confusing. That doesn't mean help isn't available. Try a different door.

• If the police don't take your report, ask for a supervisor and a report number, and contact the prosecutor's victim-witness unit. See how to report a stalker to the police.
• If a victim services program can't help, ask for a referral, or check the Office for Victims of Crime directory for another program.
• If you are told that what is happening "isn't stalking," ask what would make it reportable, and keep documenting. Read when unwanted contact becomes stalking.
• If you feel discouraged, reach out to someone you trust, or call or text 988.

Keep a note of each attempt and its result. It helps if you need to escalate.

Resources for Specific Situations

• Students: campus police, the dean of students, and counseling centers can help with no-contact directives and accommodations. See the campus scenarios in the Protection Guide.
• Older adults: stalking can overlap with scams and exploitation. State adult protective services handle abuse and exploitation reports, and our guide to elder abuse warning signs can help you recognize them.
• Parents and teens: school counselors, school resource officers, and child protective services can be involved when minors are affected. Keep records and report.
• People with limited English or disabilities: ask for an interpreter or an accommodation when you contact any government office.
• People in rural areas: the county sheriff is often the main law enforcement contact, and many programs offer phone or online support. Ask what is available remotely.
• Tribal communities: ask your state or tribal government about victim services and law enforcement jurisdiction.

You are entitled to ask for help in a way that works for you.

You don't need to use every resource. You need the next one that fits where you are today.

Sources and further reading

• Help in Your State (Office for Victims of Crime)
• SAMHSA: In Crisis? Find Help Now (988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
• FindTreatment.gov (SAMHSA)
• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
• IdentityTheft.gov (Federal Trade Commission)
• Caller ID Spoofing (Federal Communications Commission)
• Secure Our World (CISA)
• Harassment (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)