In observance of Stalking Awareness Day, the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office took to social media to shine a light on the pervasive and often insidious nature of stalking, particularly among teenagers. According to a post from the Sheriff's Office, teens with dating experience show alarmingly higher rates of stalking victimization, with 48% of those ages 12-18 having experienced stalking behaviors at some point in their lives—this, against the backdrop of media that too often blurs the line between devotion and toxicity, citing examples such as "Twilight," "Gossip Girl," and "It Ends with Us."
The Stalking Prevention Awareness & Resource Center (SPARC) defines stalking as a pattern of behavior directed at a specific individual that could instill a reasonable fear for one's safety and the safety of others or cause significant emotional distress. This could include repeated actions such as making unwanted phone calls, showing up where the victim is without consent, following them, sending unwanted communications through various media, and even using technology to monitor them unrelentingly.
The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office shared examples of stalking tactics, such as constant phone calls, uninvited visits, and digital harassment through texts, emails, and social media. These actions are not romantic but controlling and can severely impact young people's lives and mental health.
