Democratic lawmakers in New York are pushing the Ceasing Repeated, Extremely Egregious, and Predatory (CREEP) Act to expand stalking protections beyond family and intimate relationships. The bill introduces a new civil court option for victims, allowing faster access to protective orders without requiring a criminal arrest.
Supporters argue that digital-age stalking—enabled by social media—demands quicker legal responses. Victims often face prolonged harassment before legal intervention, with cases escalating into real-world danger. The legislation would align New York with 44 other states that already offer civil orders of protection for stalking.
Advocates stress that anyone can be targeted, from social media users to everyday professionals. By removing outdated legal barriers, the CREEP Act seeks to provide timely, life-saving protection for victims before threats escalate into violence.