SCR6: designating January as stalking awareness month.

SCR 6 – FINAL VERSION

2004 SESSION

04-3117

04/09

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 6

A RESOLUTION designating January as stalking awareness month.

SPONSORS: Sen. Clegg, Dist 14; Sen. O’Hearn, Dist 12; Sen. Martel, Dist 18; Sen. Gallus, Dist 1; Rep. Hunt, Ches 28; Rep. Leone, Sull 21; Rep. Batula, Hills 58

COMMITTEE: Internal Affairs

ANALYSIS

This concurrent resolution designates January as stalking awareness month in New Hampshire.

04-3117

04/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Four

A RESOLUTION designating January as stalking awareness month.

Whereas an estimated 1,377,960 women and men are stalked annually in the United States and, in the majority of such cases, the person is stalked by someone who is not a stranger; and

Whereas 26 percent of stalking victims lose time from work as a result of their victimization and 7 percent never return to work; and

Whereas stalking victims are forced to take drastic measures to protect themselves, such as relocating, changing their address, changing their identities, changing jobs, and obtaining protection orders; and

Whereas stalking is a crime that cuts across race, culture, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, and economic status; and

Whereas stalking is a crime under federal law and under the laws of all 50 states and the District of Columbia; and

Whereas there are national organizations, local victim service organizations, prosecutors' offices, and police departments who stand ready to assist stalking victims and who are working diligently to craft competent, thorough, and innovative responses to stalking; and

Whereas there is a need to enhance the criminal justice system's response to stalking and stalking victims, including aggressive investigation and prosecution; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That January is designated as stalking awareness month in New Hampshire; and

That stalking awareness month provides an opportunity to educate the people of New Hampshire about stalking; and

That the citizens of New Hampshire should applaud the efforts of the many victim service providers, police, prosecutors, national and community organizations, and private sector supporters for their efforts in promoting awareness about stalking; and

That policymakers, criminal justice officials, victim service and human service agencies, nonprofit organizations, and others should recognize the need to increase awareness of stalking and availability of services for stalking victims; and

That state and community organizations, businesses in the private sector, and the media are urged to promote awareness of the crime of stalking through stalking awareness month; and

That copies of this resolution shall be sent by the senate clerk to the New Hampshire congressional delegation.

Approved: April 15, 2004