HR 240 — A Resolution recognizing the month of January 2026 as "Stalking Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.   2290

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 240
                                                Session of
                                                  2025

     INTRODUCED BY MARCELL, LABS, MAJOR, MIHALEK, TOMLINSON,
        ARMANINI, STAATS AND GILLEN, SEPTEMBER 5, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2025


                                 A RESOLUTION
 1   Recognizing the month of January 2026 as "Stalking Awareness
 2      Month" in Pennsylvania.
 3      WHEREAS, Stalking is a significant issue in the United States
 4   that affects millions of people every year; and
 5      WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
 6   Prevention, approximately one in three women and one in six men
 7   in the United States experience stalking at some point in their
 8   lives; and
 9      WHEREAS, The Stalking Prevention, Awareness and Resource
10   Center estimates that 13.5 million people are stalked every year
11   in the United States; and
12      WHEREAS, The majority of stalking victims in the United
13   States are threatened with physical harm; and
14      WHEREAS, With the rise of digital technology and the use of
15   social media platforms, cyberstalking has become increasingly
16   prevalent enabling stalkers to monitor, harass and intimidate
17   victims from a distance often anonymously and across various
18   online spaces; and
 1      WHEREAS, Stalking victims often experience heightened
 2   anxiety, fear and a pervasive sense of dread; and
 3      WHEREAS, The stress and trauma experienced by victims of
 4   stalking can lead to depression, feelings of hopelessness,
 5   sadness and withdrawal from social interactions; and
 6      WHEREAS, January 2024 marked the 20th annual National
 7   Stalking Awareness Month, an annual call to action to recognize
 8   and counter the crime of stalking; and
 9      WHEREAS, Public recognition can empower stalking victims by
10   validating their experiences and encouraging them to report
11   stalking behavior to law enforcement; and
12      WHEREAS, By recognizing January 2026 as "Stalking Awareness
13   Month," the General Assembly can inform and educate the public
14   about the crime of stalking, its prevalence in this
15   Commonwealth, its impact on victims and the various resources
16   and support systems available to assist and protect victims;
17   therefore be it
18      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
19   month of January 2026 as "Stalking Awareness Month" in
20   Pennsylvania; and be it further
21      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commit to raising
22   awareness and providing resources to support and protect victims
23   of stalking in this Commonwealth.




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