|
Stalking (RSA 633:3-a) --following someone repeatedly with the intent to make that person fear for his or her safety. This includes following someone from place to place and appearing repeatedly at someone's home, place of employment, or other frequently visited locations.
Quoted from "A Legal Handbook for Women in New Hampshire, New Hampshire Commission on the Status of Women", page 83.
Stalking is a Crime in New Hampshire:
It is against the law (RSA 633:3-a) for someone to:
- follow another person from place to place more than once with no legitimate purpose with the intent to make the person afraid, or if this behavior would cause a "reasonable person" to be afraid;
- appear more than once with no legitimate purpose at or around a person's home, work, or other place where the person can be found, with the intent to make a person afraid, or if this behavior would cause a "reasonable person" to be afraid;
- intimidate another by causing substantial emotional distress and to threaten another person with death or bodily injury;
- follow someone from place to place if there is a restraining order or bail order against the follower. If a restraining order or bail order is in effect, the follower is also prohibited from showing up at or near any place described in either order.
Stalking is a unique crime because the stalker usually has only one intended victim. Stalkers are obsessed with controlling the victim's actions and feelings. They believe that they can achieve this by threatening, harassing and, in some instances, harming their victims.
Often, the victim can best assess the stalker's potential for violence. Because no one can guarantee complete safety, the victim can best choose what actions need to be taken. Whatever steps are taken, the primary concern for everyone involved is the victim's safety.
|
