The change proposed by Maas will continue to allow for restraining orders, forced evictions and fines for those found guilty in less-serious cases. 'We can't have a situation that requires someone to move before a stalker can be criminally prosecuted.' 'Stalking can ruin lives,' Justice Minister Heiko Maas said. Without evidence of life-threatening violence or proof that a victim has had to move or change jobs to escape a stalker, there are few legal options for stopping such harassment.Ī draft law presented by the German government on Wednesday would expand the definition of stalking and facilitate bringing criminal charges against suspects.
Critics have long lamented Germany's anti-stalking law, which they say places more of a legal burden on victims than on perpetrators.
