§ 8.01-42.3 Civil action for stalking
A. A victim has a civil cause of action against an individual who engaged in conduct that is prohibited under § 18.2-60.3, whether or not the individual has been charged or convicted for the alleged violation, for the compensatory damages incurred by the victim as a result of that conduct, in addition to the costs for bringing the action. If compensatory damages are awarded, a victim may also be awarded punitive damages.
B. As used in this section: “Compensatory damages” includes damages for all of the defendant’s acts prohibited by § 18.2-60.3. “Victim” means a person who, because of the conduct of the defendant that is prohibited under § 18.2-60.3, was placed in reasonable fear of death, criminal sexual assault, or bodily injury to himself or to a minor child of whom the person is a parent or legal guardian.
C. No action shall be commenced under this section more than two years after the most recent conduct prohibited under § 18.2-60.3.
History
This law was first created in 2001. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 444 of that year’s edition of “Acts of Assembly,” the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.
2001, c. 444.