Supporting Your Child’s Safety: Understanding and Addressing Stalking

Stalking is a crime of power and control that can affect anyone including children and teens. It involves someone repeatedly following, monitoring, or harassing another person, both online and in person. While it may seem rare, stalking is more common than many realize.

What Is Stalking?

Stalking is a pattern of repeated behaviors that cause fear or distress, often motivated by a desire to control or manipulate someone. Often times, the person who is stalking is known to the child/teen or family. Those who have experienced stalking often times have had someone show up at their home or school, send unwanted messages, or use technology to monitor their activities. Modern technology—like social media and tracking devices—has made stalking easier to invade someone’s privacy.

How to Recognize Stalking Behavior

Recognizing stalking early is crucial to protecting your child. Some common signs include:

• Unwanted Communication: Persistent texting, calling, or messaging through social media.
• Physical Following: Appearing at your child’s home, school, or events.
• Monitoring Digital Activity: Tracking location, using spyware, or hacking into accounts.
• Unwanted Gifts: Sending flowers, cards, or gifts to pressure or manipulate.
• False Claims: Spreading rumors or making false statements to harm your child.

These behaviors can start subtly, but over time, they become more intrusive and threatening. If you notice these patterns, take them seriously.

How to Respond If Your Child Is Stalked

If you believe your child is being stalked, it's important to respond quickly and with care. Start by listening to your child. Believe them, validate their feelings, and reassure them that stalking is a crime.

Here’s how you can help:

• Ensure Immediate Safety: Contact law enforcement if your child is in danger and help them find a safe place.
• Create a Safety Plan: Help your child develop a plan to stay safe, such as changing routines or blocking the stalker on digital platforms.
• Log Evidence: Encourage your child to keep records of any stalking behavior, such as messages or photos, which can be helpful for law enforcement. The Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC) offers resources for tracking stalking behaviors.
• Seek Professional Help: Consult a counselor or advocate to support your child emotionally and help them cope with the impact of stalking.

What Next? Legal Protections and Resources

Stalking is a crime, and legal protections exist to help victims. For your child, this might mean filing a civil or juvenile protection order, which legally limits the ability of the person engaging in stalking behaviors to contact them. Local law enforcement and legal professionals can guide you through the process.

Additionally, there are a variety of local resources available to help families navigate this challenging issue:

• Advocacy and Adult Service Intake Team: The Center for Family Safety and Healing (TCFSH) 655 E Livingston Ave., Columbus, OH - 614-722-8293. For additional stalking resources click here.
• Green Flags: If you have a question about relationships or red flags for yourself or someone else, a Green Flags Pro is available  Mon-Fri 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Call 844-234-5463, Text 844-283-3393, or chat.
• Protection Orders: A list of protection order resources in Franklin County.
• Prosecution Resources: The Columbus City Attorney’s Office Stalking Unit resources

Stalking can be a terrifying experience for anyone. Parents and caregivers play a key role in ensuring their children and teens’ safety and well-being. By recognizing the signs of stalking, responding appropriately, and seeking support and resources, you can help your child feel safe and empowered. If you believe your child is being stalked, don’t hesitate to act.

If you or someone you know may be experiencing stalking, help is available. For more information, visit the National Center for Victims of Crime or The Center for Family Safety and Healing. To learn more about stalking behaviors, visit The Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center. Read more about technology abuse and ways to support safety.