When Someone Will Not Stop, the Law Can Make Them

Stalking Is More Common Than People Think

How Virginia Treats Stalking and Harassment

Stalking is a course of conduct, a repeated pattern of following, watching, contacting, or threatening that would place a reasonable person in fear. A single rude message is not stalking, but a steady stream of unwanted contact, surveillance, and intimidation can be.

Protection is available even when the parties are not family or household members. Virginia allows protective orders for acts of violence, force, or threat and for stalking, which covers many situations involving exes, acquaintances, coworkers, or strangers, including conduct that happens online.

We help you document the pattern, present it clearly, and seek an order that makes the conduct stop. If you have been accused, we test whether the claims truly meet the standard.

When to Seek Protection

• ✓ Someone is following you or watching your home or work
• ✓ You are receiving repeated unwanted calls, texts, or messages
• ✓ The contact continues online, on social media, or by anonymous accounts
• ✓ The person is not a family member, so you are unsure of your options
• ✓ Threats or intimidation have left you afraid for your safety
• ✓ You have been accused of stalking or harassment and need to respond

Consultation

Tell us what has been happening and for how long. We assess whether an order fits.

Document the Pattern

We organize messages, logs, and screenshots into a clear timeline the court can follow.

Seek the Order

We petition for protection, or respond to a claim, and present the case at the hearing.

Enforce and Follow Up

We help enforce the order if conduct continues and extend or modify it as needed.

“With stalking and harassment, people often wait because each incident on its own seems small. But the pattern is the point. Save everything, write down dates, and come see us. A well-documented timeline is what turns a vague fear into a case the court can act on.”

Answers Before You Call