WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Debbie Dingell (MI-06) announced the introduction of their bipartisan, bicameral resolution designating January as National Stalking Awareness Month, elevating national focus on stalking as a life-threatening crime and a well-documented precursor to violent behavior.
Stalking affects nearly one in three women in the United States and more than 13 million people each year. The resolution underscores the urgent need to strengthen protections for victims, support early intervention, equip law enforcement with the tools and backing necessary to respond, and ensure offenders are held accountable before violence escalates.
The companion resolution led by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) has passed the Senate, reflecting broad bipartisan agreement that stalking must be taken seriously as a public safety issue.
“As a former law enforcement officer, I know that stalking is rarely an isolated incident—it is often the first clear signal that someone is in danger,” said Fitzpatrick. “Working directly with constituents, law enforcement, and victim advocates in my community, I’ve seen how early, coordinated intervention can stop violence before it escalates and spare victims further harm. This resolution reaffirms our responsibility to take stalking seriously and to ensure those on the front lines have the support and authority to act early, not after violence occurs.”
“Stalking is a crime that robs victims of their sense of safety and too often leads to deadly consequences,” said Dingell. “It is one of the strongest indicators of future violence, including intimate partner homicide. We must continue raising awareness and taking action to prevent stalking before it escalates into tragedy.”
“Millions of our fellow Americans have suffered the physical and psychological trauma of stalking. I’m glad to join my bipartisan colleagues in raising awareness of this terrible crime and highlighting the essential work of advocates, law enforcement and service workers who support victims and survivors,” said Grassley.
“As a former prosecutor, I have seen firsthand the serious emotional and physical toll stalking can take on victims,” said Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan resolution raises awareness about the dangers of stalking, the need to protect victims, and the resources available to help survivors.”
With this resolution, Fitzpatrick and Dingell reaffirm their commitment to prioritizing victim safety, improving awareness and prevention efforts, and supporting law enforcement and victim advocates working to stop stalking and prevent violence.
Read the full resolution text here.
Background:
A former FBI Special Agent, Congressman Fitzpatrick has emerged as a leading bipartisan voice on public safety—focused on protecting and empowering victims, preventing violence before it occurs, and ensuring law enforcement has the authority, tools, and support to act early and decisively. His legislative record reflects that approach, including authoring the bipartisan Combat Online Predators Act, signed into law in 2020, which closed critical gaps in federal law by strengthening penalties for crimes involving the online targeting of minors and directing a comprehensive Department of Justice review of enforcement practices nationwide. Fitzpatrick continues to advance commonsense, bipartisan policies that translate prevention into action—ensuring victims are protected, offenders are held accountable, and law enforcement can intervene before violence occurs.