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“Stop harassing me”. Cyber Bullying- What is it, and what can we do to stop it. Cyber Bullying. Using technological devices and programs to bully others - Phone calls - Text messages - Facebook - Myspace - Twitter. What kinds of messages are bullying?.
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“Stop harassing me” Cyber Bullying- What is it, and what can we do to stop it
Cyber Bullying • Using technological devices and programs to bully others - Phone calls - Text messages - Facebook - Myspace - Twitter
What kinds of messages are bullying? • Menacing, threatening and/or offensive messages What do YOU think this means?
What can we do? • “Stop Harassing Me” postcard • Allows students and the school community to take a pro-active • approach to cyber-bullying • Allows YOU, the student, to inform the bully in a safe and legal way • that the messages are illegal and that you want them to stop
Criteria for Postcard use Can only be used by a student who: • Has received menacing, threatening and/or offensive messages, via text, voice-mail or internet (with evidence); • Can identify the cyber-bully and the school they attend; • Wants the messages to stop. DON’T RESPOND!!!!! The Postcard can not be used to address verbal and/or physical assaults.
How does the Postcard work? • If you believe that you have been cyber-bullied, you can approach your deputy/principal, and show them the messages you have received • If your deputy/principal believes these messages meet the criteria, you will then be offered the opportunity to complete a Postcard.
How does it work continued You then write on the Postcard: • Who has been sending you the messages • What school that person attends • The time and date of the offensive message or the most offensive message received (if more than one) • Your name • Your signature Your involvement at this stage is now finished- Parent/guardian will be advised.
How does it work continued • Your deputy/principal then meets with the cyber-bully to caution them on their behaviour • The deputy/principal and the cyber-bully will then also write their names on, and sign, the Postcard, to acknowledge that they have been spoken to about this • The signed Postcard is photocopied and a copy in both student’s files is kept by the school to use if a breach occurs
Consequences on breaching the Postcard What do YOU think they are?
Commonwealth Criminal Code Act 1995 (Section 474.17) Using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence A person is guilty of an offence if: The person uses a carriage service; and The person does so in a way (whether by the method of use or the content of a communication or both) that reasonable persons would regard as being, in all the circumstances, menacing, harassing or offensive Maximum Penalty: Imprisonment for 3 years You can be charged!
The Postcard assists in charging the cyber-bully, by • proving that the cyber-bully: • - Has been asked to stop the offensive behaviour, • and that they have chosen to ignore that request, • Knew they were committing an offence, • Knew what law they were breaking, • Knew that Police could become involved if they • continued in the offending behaviour.
Consequences of a criminal record What do YOU think having a criminal record will mean to YOU?
Any questions? Constable Joanna WRIGHT Ayr Police: 4790 3555 165 Queen Street, Ayr