Stalking in Military Families: The Hidden Impact of Service

How military service affects families' mental health — deployment, reintegration, and finding support.

Military families carry unique stalking burdens — often invisible to civilian society but real and significant.

Stalking Challenges Unique to Military Families

  • Deployment separation: Repeated separations create attachment disruption and anxiety for all family members
  • Reintegration: Return from deployment requires major readjustment, often triggering stalking
  • Frequent relocation: PCS moves disrupt social supports that protect against stalking
  • Secondary trauma: Living with a service member with PTSD or stalking creates secondary psychological impact

Children in Military Families and Stalking

Military children are resilient but face significant stalking risks. School changes, parent absence, and exposure to parent's stalking all require specific support.

Resources for Military Family Stalking

Military OneSource, Military Family Life Counselors (MFLC), and installation behavioral health services provide free or low-cost stalking support for military families.

Related Resources

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