Stalking is a pattern of unwanted following that threatens the safety and well being of the victim. It is a crime throughout the English‐speaking world, and in many other countries. Most victims of stalking are women, and most stalkers are men. The most likely victims of stalking are young women who have had a prior sexually intimate relationship with the perpetrator. In these cases, risk of physical violence during the stalking is high, occurring in at least one in five cases. Threats are very common, and are related to risk of violence. Among those who stalk strangers or acquaintances, risk of physical violence is significantly less, but stalking often persists for longer periods, particularly when the stalker is affected by psychosis. Effective risk management of stalking cases usually depends on a combination of mental health and law enforcement intervention, and there remains a lack of research about effective ways to treat stalking behavior.