Stalking is generally a course conduct directed toward a specific person (or the person’s family, friends, or work associates) that would cause a reasonable person to be in fear of their safety, health, or well-being. Stalking includes (1) spying on a person; (2) waiting at a location to make unwanted contact with the victim, or to monitor the victim; (3) leaving unwanted items and gifts for the victim; and (4) posting or disseminating information or rumors about the victim on the internet, in a public place, or by word of mouth.

Stalkers may also use technology to harass their victim. Common forms of cyberstalking include:

• e-mail spoofing—sending e-mails pretending to be the victim

• text messaging and sexting (sending sexually explicit text messages or photos)

• social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)—creating social media accounts and posting statements to harass, threaten, or denigrate the victim, or to impersonate the victim on social media

• online impersonation of the victim through a false identity or account to place online sex ads or solicit sex

• use of GPS to track the victim, including placing a GPS device on the victim’s car.

Stalking is a crime under federal law (18 U.S.C. §2261A) and in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Territories, and many Indian Tribes. In addition to stalking laws, every state has laws addressing electronic harassment, and federal law also criminalizes the use of technology to stalk (18 U.S.C. §2261A(2)). Legal definitions for stalking and harassment vary from state to state and in the federal system—especially regarding the stalker’s intent and the nature of the victim’s fear or emotional distress caused by the stalking.

In Maine, stalking is considered a serious crime and is defined under Maine Revised Statutes Title 17-A, §210-A. Stalking involves a course of conduct that causes a reasonable person to suffer serious inconvenience or emotional distress or to fear for their or someone else's safety. This includes actions such as spying, waiting at locations to contact or monitor the victim, leaving unwanted items, and spreading information or rumors about the victim. Cyberstalking is also addressed under Maine law and includes the use of technology such as email spoofing, text messaging, social media harassment, online impersonation, and GPS tracking to intimidate or track a victim. Stalking is punishable under both state and federal laws, with federal law specifically criminalizing the use of electronic means to stalk (18 U.S.C. §2261A(2)). The specific elements of the crime, such as the stalker's intent and the nature of the victim's fear, may vary, but both state and federal statutes aim to protect individuals from this invasive and potentially dangerous behavior.