U.S. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Debbie Dingell (MI-06) have introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution to designate January as National Stalking Awareness Month. The measure aims to increase national attention on stalking, which is described as a serious crime and an early warning sign of potential violence.
Stalking impacts nearly one in three women in the United States and affects more than 13 million people each year. The resolution highlights the need for stronger protections for victims, improved early intervention strategies, enhanced support for law enforcement, and greater accountability for offenders before situations escalate.
A similar resolution led by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) has already passed in the Senate, showing broad bipartisan support for addressing stalking as a public safety concern.
“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.”
The resolution represents an ongoing commitment from Fitzpatrick and Dingell to prioritize victim safety through prevention efforts while supporting those working against stalking-related crimes.
Brian Fitzpatrick has served as U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s 1st District since 2017 after succeeding Mike Fitzpatrick. He was born in Philadelphia in 1973, graduated from La Salle University with a Bachelor’s degree in 1996, earned his JD from Pennsylvania State University at Carlisle in 2001, and currently resides in Levittown.
Fitzpatrick’s legislative record includes authoring measures such as the Combat Online Predators Act signed into law in 2020. This act increased penalties for online crimes targeting minors and required a Department of Justice review of enforcement practices nationwide.
