Homicide in Slow Motion

“Stalking is homicide in slow motion. The most common use of the criminal justice system prior to attempted or completed intimate partner homicide was reported parner stalking, and what that tells us is that it can be prevented. Stalking is one of the few crimes where early intervention can prevent violence and death. Stalking behavior gives us a glimpse of what’s coming and we simply have to do better at recognizing, it, acknowledging it and doing something about it.”
-Kerri New, Former Prosecutor and Attorney Advisor at AEquitas

Addressing Misconceptions About Stalking

Listening to the taskforce, both the members in our monthly meetings and the experts who have joined, one thing has become clear- stalking is widely misunderstood. Listening to these discussions, a common theme emerged that all too often it is seen as a stranger lurking in the shadows or dismissed as a minor annoyance. Or, perhaps, it is seen as separate from the dynamics of power and control in domestic violence when in reality, stalking frequently happens within abusive relationships and can continue long after they end.

A major part of the conversation the taskforce continued to focus on is that stalking is often made up of behaviors that seem harmless—or even kind—to outsiders but signal real danger to the survivor. Because of these misconceptions, there’s an urgent need for better training and broader public awareness across systems like the courts, law enforcement, and even among advocates.

Understanding Risk More Accurately

Both of our key stalking experts utilized a common quote that stood out so much to participants that they said it should be a part of a public service announcement: “Stalking is homicide in slow motion.”  This dynamic caused the taskforce to discuss how difficult it can be to truly assess risk.

That’s why members emphasized the importance of better training, clearer shared language, and more specialized tools—along with really listening to survivors, especially when their sense of danger doesn’t match what an assessment shows.

Stalking and Coercive Control

Our stalking experts also highlighted how stalking often overlaps with coercive control in abusive relationships. This kind of control is about domination—using manipulation, intimidation, and emotional abuse to strip away a person’s autonomy and sense of self.

While some states have started addressing coercive control in their laws, the taskforce heard that, from a policy perspective, any legal changes need to be paired with substantive and nuanced training to avoid misapplication and unintended harm.

Texas Law: Progress and Gaps

The taskforce went into detailed discussion about what our stalking law in Texas actually says, and how useful it is. They learned there were key updates made to the law in 2023 through SB 1717, a TCFV priority bill, which expanded the definition of stalking to include feelings of terror or intimidation, applying the reasonable-person standard to the survivor’s specific circumstances, and broadening threat coverage to family members or dating partners. But gaps remain.

Members heard from some of the folks involved in passage of the bill about language that should have been included in all sections of this law being omitted from most sections in the 2023 update. They discussed how seemingly small fixes—like making language consistent across the law—could make a big difference in how effectively it protects survivors.

Uplifting Survivor Voices

It’s been both heartening—and critical—that the taskforce is listening to the voices of survivors, as they will be most impacted by the recommendations the taskforce puts forward. Prior to each meeting, the taskforce watches recorded webinars from experts to prepare for their discussions and this always includes the experiences of survivors. A message that each survivor wanted the taskforce to carry with them was this: listen to and believe survivors. For those in the anti-violence movement, it can seem like a commonsense thing to do, but survivors are ignored all too often, and this can be the reason survivors feel re-traumatized—first their partner abuses them, then the systems they’re encouraged to reach out to are not always equipped to respond, even when intentions are good. Stalking is notoriously hard to explain to someone who hasn’t lived it, because the pattern—the repetition, timing, and escalation—is what creates the threat, not a single act in isolation. Words and acts that seem harmless on the surface can carry unmistakable threats when put in context, and that can be easy to dismiss as systems sometimes struggle to recognize and respond to what they’re not designed to easily see. Starting with believing survivors is an important first step.

The taskforce heard from another kind of survivor too: a mother who lost her daughter to family violence homicide. She bravely shared her experience—both leading up to her daughter’s murder and in the aftermath—and how this tragedy rippled out in her family and community. Hearing her speak was a deeply emotional and reflective moment. The gratitude for her presence, voice, and advocacy was palpable in the room; she had a profound impact on all who were there to listen.

Ideas for Change

Members took in the stories of survivors, research, the current laws, and many other considerations throughout their first three meetings. They in turn brought their unique viewpoints to the table for a truly engaging conversation. Their ability to take in each other’s experiences and thoughts led to a wellspring of possible changes that could benefit stalking survivors. The taskforce will not make formal recommendations for systems change until they submit a report at the end of 2026, but they are well on their way to developing feasible solutions.

In addition to updating Texas’ stalking statute, they contemplated codifying and funding Domestic Violence High Risk Teams or Coordinated Community Response teams across the state, treating protective order violations more seriously, as they often intersect with stalking, expanding and refining the use of GPS monitoring, and developing a continuum of offenses under Penal Code, Sec. 42 that could include a repeated harassment offense between harassment and stalking. A statewide public awareness campaign, as well as targeted trainings and the use of specialized risk assessments were also discussed.

Where More Learning Is Needed

One area the taskforce wants to explore further is technology-facilitated abuse. Stalkers increasingly use tools like social media, location tracking, hidden devices or apps, and now AI-based forms of abuse to monitor, harass, and threaten survivors.

This type of abuse can be constant and deeply invasive, often disrupting survivors’ daily life and creating ongoing fear as well as a sense of violation. Because technology evolves so quickly, the taskforce saw the need for continuous training on this type of abuse and creating adaptable laws designed to stay applicable over time, rather than being tied to a particular technology.

Final Thoughts

It’s been impressive that in just three meetings, the taskforce has built such cohesion and strong momentum around this critical work. Members have brought thoughtful perspectives, a willingness to listen and hear different views, and a shared commitment to finding solutions.

With 161 Texans lost to family violence in 2024 as reported in TCFV’s Honoring Texas Victim report, the stakes are undeniable—but so is the sense of purpose. There’s real hope that this work can help prevent future violence and better protect survivors.

Stay Connected

Follow along with the taskforce’s progress through our monthly updates, and feel free to reach out to TCFV’s policy team at policy@tcfv.org with any questions or thoughts—we’d love to hear from you!

Jen Mudge, TCFV’s Legislative Public Policy Manager and the voice behind this blog, can be found clocking in long hours at the Capitol during legislative session (basically her seasonal residence), advocating for policies that support survivors’ safety, rights, options, and voices. She also co-leads TCFV’s survivor involvement work and has been honored to team up with such passionate survivor advocates. Her path in domestic violence advocacy began over 25 years ago as a volunteer at a domestic and sexual violence center near her college, and while this work has always been personal to her, her advocacy has been continually shaped over the years by the experiences of family, friends, and survivors she met in shelter and as a legal advocate—which continue to drive her commitment to systems change in Texas. Outside of work she has entered her birdwatching era and finds joy and wonder in the natural world, from a lichen hugging a rock to a craggy, majestic live oak.