Reporting Stalking to Massachusetts Officials
Every hotline, state agency, and court resource you need to report stalking in Massachusetts.
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How to use this guide
This guide covers statewide Massachusetts resources: the government agencies, hotlines, and courts that serve every city and town. Each section also tells you how to find the right local office for your specific city or town.
Start here: Massachusetts has a 258E Harassment Prevention Order for stalking by anyone, regardless of your relationship to the person.
Before you call: have your documentation ready — dates, what happened, any messages or photos saved, and whether a report has already been filed elsewhere.
If you're in danger: call 911 first. Every other number in this guide is for follow-up support, not emergency response.
Emergency & Immediate Danger
Emergency — Police, Fire, Medical
911
Call if you are in immediate danger, right now.
Massachusetts State Police (find your local barracks)
Via mass.gov/msp
For non-emergency matters outside local police jurisdiction.
SAFEPLAN Advocates
Available at every courthouse
Court-based advocates who help complete 209A/258E applications.
Can't speak safely? In areas where Text-to-911 is supported, you can text instead of calling — check with your mobile carrier for coverage in your area.
Massachusetts — Statewide Agencies
Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA)
617-586-1340
Northampton office (413) 387-4300 · 1 Ashburton Place, Suite 1310, Boston, MA 02108 · mova@mass.gov
mass.gov/mova ↗MOVA — Victim Compensation
Via VCCorrespondence@mass.gov
Fax 617-742-6262 · covers medical, counseling, and lost-wage expenses; explicitly includes stalking.
mass.gov/mova ↗Massachusetts Courts — 209A/258E Resource Guide
Via mass.gov
Explains Abuse Prevention and Harassment Prevention Orders, with statewide hotline listings.
mass.gov ↗Reporting to Local Police & Sheriffs
Stalking is usually reported to the police department in the city where you live or work, or to your county sheriff outside city limits.
Your local police department (non-emergency line)
Dial 911, or search “[your city] police non-emergency”
Stalking can be reported at any city or town police department.
Your District, Boston Municipal, Juvenile, or Superior Court
Find yours via mass.gov/courts
File a Harassment Prevention Order (258E) for stalking by anyone, or an Abuse Prevention Order (209A) for a family or household member.
Good to know: you can file a report at any police department, not only the one nearest the stalker. Ask for the officer's name, a complaint or case number, and how to follow up.
Harassment & Abuse Prevention Orders in Massachusetts
258E Harassment Prevention Order: for victims of stalking, criminal harassment, or sexual violence — regardless of your relationship to the person.
209A Abuse Prevention Order: used instead when the stalker is a spouse, former spouse, co-parent, or other family or household member.
No notice needed: a judge can issue an order the same day if you show a substantial likelihood of immediate danger, before the other party is notified.
SAFEPLAN Advocates
Court-based advocates at every courthouse can help you complete the application.
Where to file
District, Boston Municipal, Juvenile, or Superior Court — Probate and Family Court does not handle these orders.
Step-by-Step: What to Expect
Filing a Police Report
- 1Go to any police department — you do not have to go to the one nearest the stalker.
- 2Ask to speak with an officer and say clearly that you want to report stalking or harassment.
- 3Bring your documentation: dates, messages, photos, and names of any witnesses.
- 4Ask for the report's complaint number before you leave, and request a copy if possible.
- 5Ask about victim assistance resources — many departments have a victim advocate or can refer you to MOVA.
Getting a Protective Order
- 1Go to your District, Boston Municipal, Juvenile, or Superior Court and ask for a 258E Harassment Prevention Order application.
- 2Ask a SAFEPLAN advocate at the courthouse for help completing it.
- 3Describe each incident with as much detail as possible — dates, what happened, and any pattern you've noticed.
- 4A judge can issue the order the same day, often without the other party present.
- 5The order is served on the other party by law enforcement — keep a copy with you, at home, and at work.
Specialized Support
Child-At-Risk Hotline
800-792-5200
24/7 statewide reporting for suspected child abuse or neglect.
Elder Abuse Hotline (age 60+)
1-800-922-2275
24/7, statewide.
Disabled Persons Protection Commission Hotline (ages 18–59)
1-800-426-9009
24/7, for abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a person with a disability.
Quick-Reference Contact Sheet
| Agency | Phone | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency — Police, Fire, Medical | 911 | Emergency |
| Massachusetts State Police (find your local barracks) | Via mass.gov/msp | Emergency |
| SAFEPLAN Advocates | Available at every courthouse | Emergency |
| Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) | 617-586-1340 | Statewide |
| MOVA — Victim Compensation | Via VCCorrespondence@mass.gov | Statewide |
| Massachusetts Courts — 209A/258E Resource Guide | Via mass.gov | Statewide |
| Child-At-Risk Hotline | 800-792-5200 | Specialized |
| Elder Abuse Hotline (age 60+) | 1-800-922-2275 | Specialized |
| Disabled Persons Protection Commission Hotline (ages 18–59) | 1-800-426-9009 | Specialized |
Frequently Asked Questions — Reporting Stalking in Massachusetts
How do I report stalking in Massachusetts?
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, file a report with your local police department or county sheriff's office — you do not have to go to the one nearest the stalker. Bring dates, messages, photos, and witness names, and ask for the complaint or case number before you leave.
What should I do first if I think I'm being stalked in Massachusetts?
Stop engaging and start documenting. Save every message, call log, and screenshot with dates and times, and keep a written log of each incident. Then report it to local law enforcement using the contacts in this guide, and call 911 any time you are in immediate danger.
How do I get a protective order in Massachusetts?
258E Harassment Prevention Order: for victims of stalking, criminal harassment, or sexual violence — regardless of your relationship to the person. 209A Abuse Prevention Order: used instead when the stalker is a spouse, former spouse, co-parent, or other family or household member. No notice needed: a judge can issue an order the same day if you show a substantial likelihood of immediate danger, before the other party is notified.
Is there a fee to file a protective order in Massachusetts?
Filing fees vary by court in Massachusetts, but many protection-order petitions for stalking victims are free or fee-waived. The court listed in this guide can confirm the current fee before you file.
Can I get financial help for stalking-related costs in Massachusetts?
Yes — Massachusetts has a victim compensation program that may help cover medical, counseling, and lost-wage costs. Contact MOVA — Victim Compensation at Via VCCorrespondence@mass.gov.
What counts as stalking under Massachusetts law?
Stalking is a repeated pattern of unwanted conduct — following you, repeated calls, texts, or messages, showing up uninvited, tracking your location, or making threats — that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety. In Massachusetts, a protective order is generally available regardless of your relationship to the stalker.
Can I report stalking in Massachusetts if the stalker lives in another state?
Yes. File the report where you live or where the stalking occurred. If the behavior crosses state lines, tell the officer — some cases may involve cross-jurisdiction or federal enforcement.
Can I report stalking anonymously in Massachusetts?
You can submit tips anonymously through statewide hotlines, and many child and adult abuse hotlines accept anonymous reports. For a criminal case, your name may need to appear on the report — ask the agency about its confidentiality policy.
What evidence should I save when reporting stalking in Massachusetts?
Save every message, email, voicemail, screenshot, and call log with dates and times; keep a written incident log; and note any witnesses. Back everything up to a secure location the stalker cannot access.
Where can I download the printable Massachusetts reporting guide?
You can download the free Massachusetts reporting guide as a PDF at https://www.stalking.org/Stalking.org-Reporting-to-Massachusetts-Officials.pdf. It includes every phone number and court contact in one printable sheet.
Disclaimer
The information on Stalking.org is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, medical advice, or mental-health advice, and it does not create an attorney-client or other professional relationship. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 (United States) or your local emergency number — Stalking.org is not a crisis hotline. Laws and platform policies change frequently, so always consult a qualified attorney, law enforcement officer, or licensed professional about your specific situation.
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