WATCH: Greene County prosecutor describes social media’s dangers

Three local victims come forward after being relentlessly cyberstalked and harassed by a local woman. One of those victims, News Center 7's own Gabrielle Enright. Learn about how their stories can help other cyberstalking victims and how law enforcement is successfully cracking down on this growing crime. WATCH A SPECIAL REPORT Thursday, July 5, beginning at 5 p.m. on News Center 7.

Greene County prosecutor Stephen Haller told this news organization that individuals frequently utilize social media to harass and cyberstalk other people.

Virtually anyone can become a victim of cyber-stalking. A 2016 report from the Data & Society Research Institute finds that most U.S. internet users have witnessed online harassment.

About 36 percent have experienced direct harassment like being called offensive names, being physically threatened or being stalked.

About half of those who are harassed online don’t know who is behind the threats or harassment, according to Pew. About 38 percent said the messages came from strangers while 26 percent said they just didn’t know the real identity of the person.

IF SOMEONE IS STALKING YOU ONLINE, EXPERTS SAY:

• DO NOT RESPOND OR INITIATE CONTACT WITH THE PERSON, ONCE YOU'VE TOLD THEM TO STOP.
• FILE A POLICE REPORT.
• KEEP A RECORD OR LOG OF EACH CONTACT.
• SAVE ALL E-MAILS, TEXT MESSAGES, PHOTOS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS.
• GET CONNECTED WITH A LOCAL VICTIM ADVOCATE