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 Oklahoma, stalking is defined under state law as a pattern of malicious behavior that is willful, malicious, and repeated, with the intent to follow or harass another person. This behavior includes, but is not limited to, actions such as spying, waiting at locations to make unwanted contact or monitor the victim, leaving unwanted items, and disseminating information about the victim through various means, including the internet. Oklahoma law also addresses cyberstalking, which encompasses the use of technology to harass or intimidate, such as email spoofing, text messaging, social media harassment, online impersonation, and GPS tracking. Stalking is a crime under both federal law (18 U.S.C. §2261A) and Oklahoma state statutes. The state's laws require that the perpetrator's actions cause a reasonable person to feel fear, intimidation, or emotional distress. Penalties for stalking can vary depending on the severity of the offense and whether it is a first-time or repeat offense. Additionally, federal law criminalizes the use of electronic means to stalk (18 U.S.C. §2261A(2)), providing further protection against cyberstalking.