| According to the safety organization known as | | | | Although many people are unaware of it, there |
| WHOA or Working to Halt Online Abuse, the | | | | are steps which can be taken to identify and stop |
| number of individuals confronted by a cyber | | | | a cyber stalker. There are a variety of internet |
| stalker has steadily increased over the last few | | | | investigations that can get all kinds of information |
| years. In 2009 statistics reported that there was | | | | about alleged stalkers. One of the most popular of |
| a 7% increase in female victims from the | | | | these investigations is a reverse email look-up. |
| previous year. Originally cyber stalking offenders | | | | This particular method can uncover key pieces of |
| were largely male however there was also an | | | | information about a person who is suspected of |
| increase in the number of female aggressors | | | | stalking. Some of this information includes the |
| making the gap between male and female cyber | | | | person's name, address and phone number, place |
| stalkers only 10% in difference with males still | | | | of employment, internet service provider and |
| slightly in the lead. | | | | browser; websites visited and even specific |
| One of the biggest reasons that a cyber stalker is | | | | location. Reverse email traces can take anywhere |
| able to gain so much power over their victims is | | | | between a day and two weeks to perform, |
| fear. This is especially true in the case of female | | | | depending on the case. They generally come with |
| victims. Many women are so afraid of being | | | | a no hit no fee policy, which means if no |
| labeled as a victim that they simply don't report | | | | information is recovered no fee is charged. |
| cases of online abuse. For this reason it is believed | | | | Anyone who feels that they are being harassed |
| by many professionals that the actual numbers of | | | | by a potential cyber stalker should turn to a |
| cyber stalking victims is actually much higher than | | | | professional investigator experienced in reverse |
| what statistics show. This is why organizations | | | | email look-ups. This will help monumentally in |
| such as WHOA are trying to educate as many | | | | identifying the person as well as making it possible |
| individuals as possible about the importance of | | | | to take other action to stop this highly rising form |
| reporting cases of cyber stalking. After all, how | | | | of abuse. No one should ever have to accept |
| can anything be done to stop these predators if | | | | being a victim out of fear or for any other |
| no one knows about them. | | | | reason. |