Legislature considers further protections for stalking victims

The legislature wants to make it easier for victims of stalking to get a protection order if they feel threatened.

Currently, stalking victims have few protections under Washington law.

They can get an anti-harassment order, but it has little or no teeth. A stalking order, now being considered by the legislature, would allow a court to prevent the stalker from coming near the intended target or keeping tabs on the target.

A court could keep the stalker from showing up at the target’s home, work or school. It would also apply to cyber-stalking.

Similar legislation was introduced last year.