Michigan House adopts resolution designating January as Stalking Awareness Month

The Michigan House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 12, designating January as Stalking Awareness Month, after Representative Erin Burns urged colleagues to increase recognition and protections for stalking survivors.

Representative Erin Burns, a state representative from the Fifteenth District, told members stalking is “recognized as a serious crime by every state in our country” and cited prevalence estimates, saying “1 in 4 women and 1 in 13 men experience stalking in their lifetime.” She described a personal experience of being stalked and said survivors “deserve to be safe, heard, and protected.”

Burns said technological advances have made it easier for perpetrators to monitor and contact targets and urged that the criminal justice system ensure law enforcement receive training to identify and investigate stalking and that statutes adapt to new tactics and technologies. “I may have a public facing job, but that does not make me public property,” she said during floor remarks.

After Burns’ remarks, the clerk put the question for adoption. The clerk recorded the voice vote with members answering “aye,” and announced, “The resolution is adopted.” The transcript does not record a roll-call tally.

The resolution is a formal expression of the House’s position and does not itself change criminal statutes; Burns asked colleagues to support improved awareness, training, and statutory updates to address stalking and harassment.