“How did you give him the wrong idea?” asks a co-worker hearing about the inappropriately presumptuous advances of a mutual acquaintance. “Why did you return her text?” asks a concerned parent whose daughter is being cyberstalked by a fellow student. What these (presumably well-meaning) family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues fail to appreciate is the minimal—if any—level of encouragement some stalkers need to fuel their obsession.

Having prosecuted stalkers for decades, I can share what victims know first-hand: Stalking is a crime that is terrifying for victims and their families, yet severely under reported. Whether sparked by romantic rejection or professional grievance, stalking behavior can be persistent, pervasive, and progressive. Researchers have studied stalking behavior for years, seeking to understand the pattern and practice of unwanted pursuit, with an eye toward prevention and intervention.

One question that always arises in stalking cases, especially when the victim knows the........

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