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 Missouri, stalking is defined under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 455.010 and 565.225. It is considered a crime when a person purposely engages in a course of conduct directed at a specific individual that serves no legitimate purpose and would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or the safety of others, or suffer substantial emotional distress. This includes behaviors such as spying, waiting at locations for the victim, leaving unwanted items, and spreading information or rumors, both offline and online. Cyberstalking is also recognized as a form of stalking in Missouri and can involve email spoofing, text messaging, social media harassment, online impersonation, and the use of GPS tracking devices. Stalking can be charged as a Class A misdemeanor or, if aggravating circumstances are present, a Class E felony. Additionally, federal law under 18 U.S.C. §2261A criminalizes stalking, including the use of technology to harass or intimidate, which can lead to federal charges alongside state charges.