WASHINGTON, DC—Yesterday, Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Stephanie Murphy (FL-07) introduced H.Res. 187, designating January 2020 as National Stalking Awareness Month to raise awareness on the dangers of stalking and educate Americans about stalking prevention. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced a companion resolution in the Senate. The resolution complements efforts by the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC) to bring attention to Stalking Awareness Month.

“Congress must continue to raise awareness about the dangers of stalking. Too many Americans have become victims of stalking, and the crimes that come after,” said Fitzpatrick. “This bipartisan and commonsense resolution, along with the Senate companion, will work to raise awareness regarding the serious dangers of stalking, emphasize the protection of victims, and help victims recover and heal.

“Our laws have yet to catch up to how our digital footprint through social media can give predators the tools to pursue and harass innocent victims,” said Murphy. “I’m proud to partner with Rep. Fitzpatrick on this commonsense, bipartisan resolution that will emphasize the need for increased protections for stalking victims, many of whom are women, and empower survivors so they can speak up without fear of retribution.”

As a former FBI agent and federal prosecutor, Fitzpatrick is a leading voice in the fight against domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. This year, Fitzpatrick and Murphy introduced H.R. 570, the Combat Online Predators Act, which enhanced criminal penalties for stalkers by up to five years if the victim is a minor. Additionally, Fitzpatrick was the lead Republican sponsor of H.R. 1585, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, a bill that Murphy proudly supported.

Text of H.Res. 817 can be found here.

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