American Samoa Government officials who have testified on a bill that would make stalking a crime in the territory, have urged lawmakers to approve the legislation.
The bill says that one commits the crime of stalking if they follow by maintaining visual or physical proximity to a specific person, or directing threats to that person, on two or more occasions over a period of time.
It also says the conduct causes reasonable fear of harm to the person stalked.
The Assistant Attorney General, Lisa Teesch Macquire, and Director of the Criminal Justice Planning Agency, Alalamua Filoialii testified in support of the bill .
Ms Teesch Macquire says the stalking law could prevent deaths.
"The office of the Attorney general would strongly urge you to pass this bill. Stalking is an offence that is illegal in every state in the United States. 76% of homicides involving women were people who were previously stalked by their"
intimate partners.
