Bureaus > Crimes Against Youth & Family > Domestic Violence > Stalking & Harassment

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Definitions

Without lawful authority, a person willfully or maliciously engages in a course of conduct that would cause a reasonable person to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated or harassed, and that actually causes the victim to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated or harassed.

Orders

Protection orders against stalking are issued by most justice courts at no charge. However, Las Vegas Justice Court imposes a $36 filing fee for applicants who file for a Temporary Protection Order. The adverse party will be charged a $20 fee for the first written response if the adverse party chooses to file a motion in opposition to the application. Individuals may apply to the court for a waiver of these fees upon a showing of indigency. Under no circumstances will non-payment of fees prevent an application from being processed.

The initial stalking order can be issued for 30 days.

Upon notice to the adverse party and at a hearing, the stalking order may be extended up to one year, NRS 200.594(3).

STALKING TIPS

"Each year, 1.4. million Americans are stalked, and more than half of stalking victims are women, according to a U.S. Department of Justice study released in November 1997-" (Tjaden, Patricia, Ph.D. and Thoennes, Nancy, Ph.D., "Stalking in America: Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey).

Below are suggested ways to handle the crime of stalking by an estranged partner:

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially if the person stalking you has a history of haven beaten you in the past. The most dangerous time is not staying in a violent relationship, but in leaving the violent relationship.

• Always watch to see if you are being followed. If you are being followed, go to the nearest police substation. Fire stations and convenience stores are also staffed 24 hours a day and will usually have people around.

• Make reports to the police, even if you don't prosecute. This will provide documentation for pursuing criminal charges later if the harassment and stalking continue. There must be two police reports before stalking charges can be filed.

• Record your telephone conversations. Keep all harassing messages left on your answering machine.

• Send a clear message that the relationship is over. Do not be even the slightest bit ambivalent. The type of person who is obsessive with another will take an inch and make it into a mile.

• Document, document, document everything. Keep all letters or notes sent. Keep a record or diary of these events.

• Don't think the behavior will change, no matter how much begging, pleading, cajoling there is or how much sympathy you may feel. It is almost always manipulation to get you back. Don't fall for it. Specifically remember the bad times. Once you've been charmed back, you will be seeing the bad side again and it will overshadow the good.

• They blame you - do not take responsibility for their actions. You don't have to put up with it.

Compiled by Sgt. S. Kline, HPD Family Violence Unit (used with permission)