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Stalking: Unwanted Pursuit and Fear.
1Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY.
Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing)
|April 9, 2026
Summary
Stalking is now recognized as a crime with specific legal statutes. This review covers stalking risk assessment, management, and the impact of the recent Counterman v. Colorado Supreme Court ruling.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychology
- Criminology
- Legal Studies
Background:
- De Clérambault Syndrome highlighted erotomanic stalkers over a century ago.
- Stalking was not widely recognized as a crime until the 1990s.
- Significant research advancements in the mid-1990s improved understanding of stalking behaviors and risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review basic concepts in stalking risk assessment and risk management.
- To discuss the legal landscape of antistalking statutes.
- To analyze the implications of the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Counterman v. Colorado.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of stalking research and legal statutes.
- Analysis of historical and contemporary understanding of stalking.
- Examination of the Counterman v. Colorado Supreme Court case.
Main Results:
- Antistalking statutes are now enacted in all 50 U.S. states.
- These laws typically require a pattern of unwanted pursuit, threats, and intent to induce fear.
- The Counterman v. Colorado ruling may affect prosecution burdens in stalking cases.
Conclusions:
- Stalking is a recognized criminal behavior with evolving legal frameworks.
- Risk assessment and management are crucial components in addressing stalking.
- Legal precedents like Counterman v. Colorado are shaping the prosecution of stalking cases.
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