SUPPLEMENTARY SUBMISSION NO. 136.2
To: Cheryl Scarlett Committee Secretariat Australian federal parliament Joint Select Committee on Cybersafety Inquiry
From: Stewart Healley
Date: 15th May, 2011
Re: Last Supplementary Submission to Joint Select Committee on Cybersafety Inquiry
Hi Cheryl
Thank you for your interest and support in looking at the current situation regarding CyberSafety with respect to Cyberbullying.
To assist with providing some statistical information on Cyberbullying I have attached a Case Study list of Cyberbullying Offenders in Australia over the period of 2010 to 2011.
My Original Case List contained some 22 Cases and I have added to this with a Supplementary Case List (Appendix A), to reveal a Total of 30 Offenders for this same period.
I have included some additional and relevant Case Studies from the USA and the UK to help present the broad nature and extent that Cyberbullying now presents.
I have also included some relevant information from the UK on the latest involvement of Facebook working with the UK Police actively engaged in Policing the Internet and sending out Warning Notices to Offenders and their Parents when detected of Cyberbullying Behaviour.
I have also included some relevant information on the Australian situation and address the fact that at least one Australian Expert, Professor Ken Rigby has acknowledged the fact that:
“Prof Rigby said most children tended to grow out of bullying.”
“But there is a small group of about 10 per cent who are identified as being extreme bullies in early secondary and they continue, and these are the people we are most concerned about."
I would like to point out that this small group of about 10 % of students - need to be streamed into a Police Charge / Caution – Court Diversionary Program – with a Restorative Justice Approach.
In my original appraisal of the Cyberbullying among 10 – 18 year olds, I addressed this fact with my original proposal to introduce a “Respect it or Lose it” Restorative Justice Pathway Model. Using Section 474.17 - Using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence as an important and necessary “Stop -Time Out” leverage to challenge and change behaviour choices, with a tried and proven approach that supports and encourages Victim, Offender as well as their Families and Supporting Adults and Friends.
1
Since compiling the Case Study for the Period 2010-2011, I have notice the following trends:
1. Queensland leads the way in prosecuting Cyberbullying Offenders as the table shows:
South Australia x 0 Offenders Northern Territory x 0 Offenders Victoria x 2 Offenders Western Australia x 2 Offenders Australian Capital Territory x 6 Offenders New South Wales x 8 Offenders Queensland x 12 Offenders
Total x 30 Offenders
2. All of the Offenders are ADULTS
3. The Types of social interactions are Typical of both Adult and Teenage situations with the same behaviour patterns used to menace, harass or cause offence to another.
4. Prosecuting Section 474.17 requires the cooperation of the Attorney Generals Department, Magistrate Court Justice Systems, Police Prosecutors, Police High Tech Crime Unit and General Police Members – ALL have worked to PROTECT our Community Members such as Federal Politicians, Ambassadors, Hospital Staff, Church Members, Movie Stars, Pensioners and Adult Victims ……………………
When will the same Resources and Support be offered to PROTECT OUR CHILDREN?
5. I have in my original submission on Cyberbullying presented a new view and definition that “Bullying and Cyberbullying are Acts or Comments of Discrimination”
Unfortunately, a review of the current Case Study lists shows active community protection for our Adults but NOT for our vulnerable Children.
This situation is not only a blatant form of DISCRIMINATION but is helping to reinforce the negative adult message to our children - that the impact of Bullying and Cyberbullying in THEIR World is not “serious enough” to give them access to Community Resources and Support that will protect them.
I trust my supplementary information is of use to the Committee’s Inquiry as there needs to be some urgent, coordinated and effective measures implemented in a practical manner to help our vulnerable children, both victims and bullies to negotiate their negative social behaviour choices and encourage the growth of positive citizenship.
I hope the actions of Facebook UK and the UK Police in actively Policing the Internet will inspire more commitment from their Australian colleagues, as this action is one of my original 12 Recommendations to the Committee. I am still encouraged to push for more changes to happen in order to combat Bullying and Cyberbullying in our Australian and World Community.
2
A reminder of my original 12 Recommendations include the following:
1. Appoint an Australian National Child and Young Persons Human Rights Commissioner
2. Establish a National Child and Young Persons Human Rights Council
3. Promote the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)
4. Establish a Australian National Cyberbullying 24/7 Helpline and Reporting System
5. Establish a National “Schools Best Practice” Model (with National Safe Schools Framework)
6. Establish appropriate National “Base Line” Legal Framework Laws, starting with the existing
Commonwealth Criminal Code 1995 (promote & support a Restorative Justice Pathway)
7. Establish Constructive & Regular Consultation with Teachers, Parents, and Young People
8. Establish Constructive &Regular Consultation with Government, Community, Industry &
Interest Groups
9. Establish a National Accredited Bullying & Cyberbullying Training Program for Teachers
10. Establish a National Accredited Bullying & Cyberbullying Training for AFP & State Police
11. Establish a National Accredited Bullying & Cyberbullying Training for Magistrate Court Staff
12. Update the National Child Protection Policy to include Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse
from Bullying and Cyberbullying Incidents.
Cheryl, I hope this information helps the Committee’s Inquiry.
Kind regards
“Good Things Happen when Good Women & Good Men Do Something”
3
Appendix A – Telecommunication Offences – Case Summary 2010 - 2011 Plus - Additional Australian, USA & UK - Cases
The Human Faces
Behind
Cyberbullying Offences
an
Australian Case Study
when
“Using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence”
by
Stewart Healley
May 2011
1
Telecommunication Offences – Case Summary
“Using a carriage service to menace or harass or cause offence”
Australian Cases of Cyberbullying: 2010 - 2011
Summary of Original + Additional Cyberbullying Offender List
State & Territory Distribution for Period: 2010 - 2011
South Australia x 0 Offenders
Northern Territory x 0 Offenders
Victoria x 2 Offenders
Western Australia x 2 Offenders
Australian Capital Territory x 6 Offenders
New South Wales x 8 Offenders
Queensland x 12 Offenders
Total x 30 Offenders
2
Australian Wide
State & Territory Distribution - Case Summary List
for
Period: 2010 - 2011
Case Examples
3
State & Territory Distribution for Period: 2010 - 2011
Examples:
South Australia x 0 Offenders
Nil Recorded Cases
Northern Territory x 0 Offenders
Nil Recorded Cases
Victoria x 2 Offenders
# A3.0 - Unnamed (39) Male – Glenroy man summonsed to court to face four counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, contrary to section 474.17 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.He will face allegations he harassed a federal member of parliament via phone and email. - [11/03/2011]
# A4.0 – Shane Anthony Willis (33) - pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including nine counts of aggravated burglary, 31 counts of theft, five of burglary and six of using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend. The serial burglar was in a "drug- induced stupor" when he photographed his penis with mobile phones he stole and sent the images to the owners' contacts. Judge Jane Patrick described the antics as disgusting and offensive "You clearly did not care whether they'd be received by children or elderly people," - [12/11/2010]
Western Australia x 2 Offenders
# A8.0 – Daniel Paul Belgiovane (29) - accused of sending a sexually explicit text message and photograph to an eight-year-old girl. He was charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend. - [25/02//2011]
# 10 - John Desmond Allen (31) – 79 x Phone Calls to Peel Police Station and 500 x Phone Calls to Church of Scientology – 70 calls in one day + Abusive Calls – [03/11/2010]
4
State & Territory Distribution for Period: 2010 - 2011 (cont)
Examples:
Australian Capital Territory x 6 Offenders
# A1.0 – Mitchell Stacey (22) - become the first person in Australia to be sentenced under Commonwealth laws that ban sending indecent material to a child over the internet. Stacey pleaded guilty to two counts of using a carriage service in an offensive manner and two counts of using a carriage service to transmit indecent material to a person he believed to be aged under 16. - [13/05/2011]
# 1 - Daniel McDonald (19) - ADFA Cadet – Indecent Act + Skype Broadcast Sexual Act
Dylan De-Blaquiere (18) ADFA Cadet – Skype Broadcast Recipient – [30/04/2011]
# 8 - Lidija Dumbaloska (37) – Former Girlfriend Macedonian Ambassador – [02/01/2011]
# 16 - Murray Colin Stubbs (45) – Ex Teacher - Canberra ACT - Grooming – NZ Police Sting Operation posing as a 14 Year Old Girl. . – [05/08/2010]
# 22 - Unnamed (19) Male - Canberra used Facebook to threaten another man, that man‘s brother and the brother‘s girlfriend for more than two weeks [?]
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Relevant - Past Case - 2009
# A10.0 – Kalonga Chifuntwe (18) – Michael Vaughan (18) & Unnamed (17) Male accused of taking the girl (16) from her school to one of their houses before raping her. Police believe the three filmed the attack on a mobile phone and distributed the video. Prosecutors allege a cyber-bullying campaign against the girl, was out of control. - [21/08/2009]
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
5
State & Territory Distribution for Period: 2010 - 2011 (cont)
Examples:
New South Wales x 8 Offenders
# A2.0 - Unnamed Male (32) – Ex Australian Soldier charged over the creation of a Facebook gay hate page that targeted four members of the Defence Force. Police Charged the male with one count of using a carriage service to threaten in relation to the email and was also charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, relating to the Facebook page.– [05/05/2011]
# 4 - John Elias (48) – NRL Football Betting Scandal – Contacting Witnesses – [23/03/2011]
# A9.0 – Matthew Newton (34) - John X Berlin (? ) – charged with breaching an Apprehended Violence Order against his ex-fiancee Rachael Taylor. he was charged with contravening an AVO, and using a carriage service to harass, menace or intimidate. – [09/02//2011]
# A5.0 – John X Berlin (? ) – Faced court again, charges already laid on Berlin include two of using a carriage service (in this case email and fax) to menace, harass or offend. He has also been charged with impersonate with intent to commit fraud and possessing a police uniform while not being a police officer. – [15/10/2010]
# 11 - Unnamed Male (25) – Police Sting Operation posing as 13 Year Old Girl – Sexually Explicit Phone Text and Internet Messages – [27/08/2010]
# 12 - Dale McAlpine (30) – Initial contact with 11 Year Old Girl – Police took over Contact recording Sexually Explicit and menacing E-mail Messages – [13/08/2010]
# 14 - Unnamed (33) Male – Attempting to Procure & Transmit Indecent Communications – [10/08/2010]
# 19 - Sutherland Police Officer (43) - stalking and making physical threats towards his Sydney neighbour. – [01/04/2010]
6
State & Territory Distribution for Period: 2010 - 2011 (cont)
Examples:
New South Wales (cont)
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Relevant - Past Cases
2006
# 20 - Unnamed (29) Male - sending Threatening emails to a radio talkback host in the wake of the Cronulla riots and public disorder incidents in December - [08/02/2006]
Unnamed (21) Male - Strike Force Enoggera is a Police initiative specifically set up to investigate the Cronulla race-based riot - [08/02/2006]
2005
# 21 - Unnamed (33) Male - Matraville - repeatedly sent out two messages telling people to gather at Cronulla last Sunday, a week after the initial riot – [23/12/2005]
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
7
State & Territory Distribution for Period: 2010 - 2011 (cont)
Examples:
Queensland x 12 Offenders
# 2 - Ronald William Albert ( ? ) – Ex Couple [Offensive Phone Calls After Police Warning] Julie Meikle (36) – Ex Couple [Offensive Phone Calls After Police warning] – [29/04/2011]
# 3 - Bradley Paul Hampson (29) – Internet ―Trolling‖ Offensive - Messages & Photos on ―RIP‖ Tribute Web Sites. – [20/04/2011]
# 5 - Name Withheld - Male (24) – sent 22 x Text & Photos to 2 x 15 Year Old Girls – [24/02/2011]
# 6 - Peter James Hopwood (23) – Threatening Phone Calles to Ex Partner – [21/02/2011]
# 7 - Jason Ronald Vaughan (35) – Threatening 2 x Women e-mails & phone calls – [10/01/2011]
# 9 - Danziel Marcia McNamara (47) – Derogatory Comments via 15 x Text Messages - [11/12/2010]
# A6.0 – Unnamed Male - (?) – Grandfather charged with "using a carriage service to harass or cause offence". - [07/10/2010]
# 13 - Brodie Owen Koina (20) - sending abusive texts messages to his ex-girlfriend and her new lover. ―I am forced to ask why you haven‘t grown up like everybody else,‖ Her Honour said. ―I suggest you need some relationship counselling.‖ – [13/08/2010]
# 17 - Jessica Chantelle Cook (22) – Internet Troll – ―Cook described herself as a ―troll‖ - a person who defaces internet tribute sites to cause grief.‖ – [03/08/2010]
# A7.0 – Christopher Edward Clayton (35) - accused of making a threatening phone call to a terrified mental health worker, causing the hospital to shut down. He is charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence". - [23/07/2010]
# 18 - Lindsay Ann Mastroieni (22) - sent six abusive text messages to the girlfriend of alleged murderer Ryan Dwyer. – [15/01/2010]
# 15 - Denis Mulheron (62) – ―WORDS NOT ILLEGAL‖ ―Niggers‖ & ―Sandnigger Terrorists‖ – [10/08/2010] – Not Guilty
8
Australian Wide
Chronological Case Summary List
for
Period: 2010 - 2011
Case Examples
9
Australian Wide – Chronological Case Summary for Period: 2010 - 2011
Examples:
# A1.0 – Mitchell Stacey (22) - become the first person in Australia to be sentenced under Commonwealth laws that ban sending indecent material to a child over the internet. Stacey pleaded guilty to two counts of using a carriage service in an offensive manner and two counts of using a carriage service to transmit indecent material to a person he believed to be aged under 16. - [13/05/2011]
# A2.0 - Unnamed Male (32) – Ex Australian Soldier charged over the creation of a Facebook gay hate page that targeted four members of the Defence Force. Police Charged the male with one count of using a carriage service to threaten in relation to the email and was also charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, relating to the Facebook page.– [05/05/2011]
# 1 - Daniel McDonald (19) - ADFA Cadet – Indecent Act + Skype Broadcast Sexual Act
Dylan De-Blaquiere (18) ADFA Cadet – Skype Broadcast Recipient – [30/04/2011]
# 2 - Ronald William Albert ( ? ) – Ex Couple [Offensive Phone Calls After Police Warning] Julie Meikle (36) – Ex Couple [Offensive Phone Calls After Police warning] – [29/04/2011]
# 3 - Bradley Paul Hampson (29) – Internet ―Trolling‖ Offensive - Messages & Photos on ―RIP‖ Tribute Web Sites. – [20/04/2011]
# 4 - John Elias (48) – NRL Football Betting Scandal – Contacting Witnesses – [23/03/2011]
# A3.0 - Unnamed (39) Male – Glenroy man summonsed to court to face four counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, contrary to section 474.17 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.He will face allegations he harassed a federal member of parliament via phone and email. - [11/03/2011]
# A8.0 – Daniel Paul Belgiovane (29) - accused of sending a sexually explicit text message and photograph to an eight-year-old girl. He was charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend. - [25/02//2011]
# 5 - Name Withheld - Male (24) – sent 22 x Text & Photos to 2 x 15 Year Old Girls – [24/02/2011]
10
Australian Wide – Chronological Case Summary for Period: 2010 - 2011 (cont)
Examples:
# 6 - Peter James Hopwood (23) – Threatening Phone Calles to Ex Partner – [21/02/2011]
# A9.0 – Matthew Newton (34) - John X Berlin (? ) – charged with breaching an Apprehended Violence Order against his ex-fiancee Rachael Taylor. he was charged with contravening an AVO, and using a carriage service to harass, menace or intimidate. – [09/02//2011]
# 7 - Jason Ronald Vaughan (35) – Threatening 2 x Women e-mails & phone calls – [10/01/2011]
# 8 - Lidija Dumbaloska (37) – Former Girlfriend Macedonian Ambassador – [02/01/2011]
# 9 - Danziel Marcia McNamara (47) – Derogatory Comments via 15 x Text Messages - [11/12/2010]
# A4.0 – Shane Anthony Willis (33) - pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including nine counts of aggravated burglary, 31 counts of theft, five of burglary and six of using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend. The serial burglar was in a "drug- induced stupor" when he photographed his penis with mobile phones he stole and sent the images to the owners' contacts. Judge Jane Patrick described the antics as disgusting and offensive "You clearly did not care whether they'd be received by children or elderly people," - [12/11/2010]
# 10 - John Desmond Allen (31) – 79 x Phone Calls to Peel Police Station and 500 x Phone Calls to Church of Scientology – 70 calls in one day + Abusive Calls – [03/11/2010]
# A5.0 – John X Berlin (? ) – Faced court again, charges already laid on Berlin include two of using a carriage service (in this case email and fax) to menace, harass or offend. He has also been charged with impersonate with intent to commit fraud and possessing a police uniform while not being a police officer. – [15/10/2010]
# A6.0 – Unnamed Male - (?) – Grandfather charged with "using a carriage service to harass or cause offence". - [07/10/2010]
11
Australian Wide – Chronological Case Summary for Period: 2010 - 2011 (cont)
Examples:
# 11 - Unnamed Male (25) – Police Sting Operation posing as 13 Year Old Girl – Sexually Explicit Phone Text and Internet Messages – [27/08/2010]
# 12 - Dale McAlpine (30) – Initial contact with 11 Year Old Girl – Police took over Contact recording Sexually Explicit and menacing E-mail Messages – [13/08/2010]
# 13 - Brodie Owen Koina (20) - sending abusive texts messages to his ex-girlfriend and her new lover. ―I am forced to ask why you haven‘t grown up like everybody else,‖ Her Honour said. ―I suggest you need some relationship counselling.‖ – [13/08/2010]
# 14 - Unnamed (33) Male – Attempting to Procure & Transmit Indecent Communications – [10/08/2010]
# 15 - Denis Mulheron (62) – ―WORDS NOT ILLEGAL‖ ―Niggers‖ & ―Sandnigger Terrorists‖ – [10/08/2010] – Not Guilty
# 16 - Murray Colin Stubbs (45) – Ex Teacher - Canberra ACT - Grooming – NZ Police Sting Operation posing as a 14 Year Old Girl. . – [05/08/2010]
# 17 - Jessica Chantelle Cook (22) – Internet Troll – ―Cook described herself as a ―troll‖ - a person who defaces internet tribute sites to cause grief.‖ – [03/08/2010]
# A7.0 – Christopher Edward Clayton (35) - accused of making a threatening phone call to a terrified mental health worker, causing the hospital to shut down. He is charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence". - [23/07/2010]
# 18 - Lindsay Ann Mastroieni (22) - sent six abusive text messages to the girlfriend of alleged murderer Ryan Dwyer. – [15/01/2010]
# 19 - Sutherland Police Officer (43) - stalking and making physical threats towards his Sydney neighbour. – [01/04/2010]
12
Australian Wide – Chronological Case Summary for Period: 2010 - 2011 (cont)
Examples:
# A10.0 – Kalonga Chifuntwe (18) – Michael Vaughan (18) & Unnamed (17) Male accused of taking the girl (16) from her school to one of their houses before raping her. Police believe the three filmed the attack on a mobile phone and distributed the video. Prosecutors allege a cyber-bullying campaign against the girl, was out of control.- [21/08/2009]
# 20 - Unnamed (29) Male - sending Threatening emails to a radio talkback host in the wake of the Cronulla riots and public disorder incidents in December - [08/02/2006]
Unnamed (21) Male - Strike Force Enoggera is a Police initiative specifically set up to investigate the Cronulla race-based riot - [08/02/2006]
# 21 - Unnamed (33) Male - Matraville - repeatedly sent out two messages telling people to gather at Cronulla last Sunday, a week after the initial riot – [23/12/2005]
# 22 - Unnamed (19) Male - Canberra used Facebook to threaten another man, that man‘s brother and the brother‘s girlfriend for more than two weeks [?]
Relevant - Past Cases
2009
# A10.0 – Kalonga Chifuntwe (18) – Michael Vaughan (18) & Unnamed (17) Male accused of taking the girl (16) from her school to one of their houses before raping her. Police believe the three filmed the attack on a mobile phone and distributed the video. Prosecutors allege a cyber-bullying campaign against the girl, was out of control. .- [21/08/2009]
2006
# 20 - Unnamed (29) Male - sending Threatening emails to a radio talkback host in the wake of the Cronulla riots and public disorder incidents in December - [08/02/2006]
Unnamed (21) Male - Strike Force Enoggera is a Police initiative specifically set up to investigate the Cronulla race-based riot - [08/02/2006]
2005
# 21 - Unnamed (33) Male - Matraville - repeatedly sent out two messages telling people to gather at Cronulla last Sunday, a week after the initial riot – [23/12/2005]
13
Appendix A - Additional Australian, USA & UK - Cases
The Human Faces
Behind
Cyberbullying Offences
a
Australian Case Study
when
“Using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence”
by
Stewart Healley
May 2011
14
APPENDIX A - Australian Cyberbullying - Offenders
Additional - Australian Cases of Cyberbullying: 2010 - 2011
Example: # A 1.0
First sentence for internet sex chat
BY NATASHA RUDRA 13 May, 2011 07:06 AM http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/first-sentence-for-internet-sex- chat/2162133.aspx
A Canberra man has become the first person in Australia to be sentenced under Commonwealth laws that ban sending indecent material to a child over the internet.
Mitchell Stacey, of Page, pretended to be a young West Australian man and had heavily sexual online chats with what he believed were a series of 12- and 13-year-old girls.
The ''girls'' were actually undercover West Australian police officers.
In the online chats, which took place between April 2009 and June last year, Stacey asked to meet two of the fictitious girls for sex and talked about masturbation and penetration.
He also offered to take nude photos of a 13-year-old ''girl'' and asked about the size of her breasts.
The 22-year-old had pleaded guilty to two counts of using a carriage service in an offensive manner and two counts of using a carriage service to transmit indecent material to a person he believed to be aged under 16.
Yesterday in the ACT Magistrates Court he was given a suspended jail sentence and a good- behaviour order.
Chief Magistrate John Burns said it was clear that Stacey had no intention of actually meeting and having sex with the people he had been chatting with. But he said Stacey believed he was talking to 12- and 13-year-old children and the younger the child the more serious the offence.
When police raided Stacey's home the young man gave them passwords to his laptop and his email account and told officers he had had many similar sexual conversations online.
He said he knew what he was doing was wrong.
Mr Burns said the fact that Stacey had been chatting to police officers rather than actual children did not mitigate the offences.
15
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 1.0 (cont)
He said it was an aggravating circumstance that Stacey had encouraged the ''girls'' to behave in a sexual way when he was chatting to them on the internet.
Stacey told the author of a pre-sentence report that he had been bored and lonely and participated in the online conversations because he wanted to talk about his fantasies.
The young man said he was ashamed of his actions and regretted the stress it had brought to his family.
Mr Burns described Stacey as ''sheltered by his family'' and immature for his age. He accepted that the young man cooperated with police, was attending counselling and had never consumed drugs or alcohol.
Stacey also had no previous convictions. Mr Burns sentenced Stacey to a total of six months' jail, fully suspended, and placed him on a good-behaviour order for two years. Under Commonwealth legislation, Stacey will be placed on a child sex offender's register for the next 15 years.
16
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 2.0
Facebook gay hate page: ex-ADF man charged
May 5, 2011 http://www.smh.com.au/national/facebook-gay-hate-page-exadf-man-charged-20110505- 1e9r1.html
A former member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been charged over allegedly creating a Facebook "hate page" against homosexuals.
A 32-year-old Kareela man was arrested at Surry Hills police station, in Sydney, this morning and charged with a number of offences.
In March, a major attached to the Australian army complained to police about receiving email threats about his sexuality
Sydney detectives launched an investigation and discovered a "hate page" on the social networking site that encouraged violence against homosexuals.
The page also named a number of ADF employees in an attempt to out them as homosexuals.
The Kareela man has been charged in relation to both the alleged threats against the major and the alleged creation of the Facebook page.
He will face court on one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence and one count of using a carriage service to threaten.
He has been granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on June 3.
17
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 2.1
Facebook gay hate scandal: ex-soldier charged
BY DYLAN WELCH 06 May, 2011 06:31 AM http://www.socialselect.net/
Major Paul Morgan
Sydney police have charged a former Australian soldier over the creation of a Facebook gay hate page that targeted four members of the Defence Force. The arrest comes less than a month after Fairfax revealed the harassment, which targeted an army major, Paul Morgan, two members of the Sydney-based commando regiment 2RAR and another soldier.
It was also revealed that, despite the Facebook page clearly identifying several dozen serving soldiers, the Defence Force failed to properly investigate and punish serving members allegedly linked to a campaign designed to expose and intimidate homosexual personnel.
Major Morgan, an army psychologist, was also sent a graphic email, which police allege came from the soldier, which stated: ‖I will cut your homosexual carcass into 100 pieces to feed you to the marine life in Botany Bay.‖
The Facebook page, created by the pseudonym ‖Steve Austin‖, was created to expose what the author called ‖bum bandits getting around the ADF‖.
The four serving gay men had their names published on the Facebook page – which has since been taken down – as having made a ‖filthy lifestyle decision‖.
‖This page has been created to inform current and past serving members of the ADF who is ‗biting the pillow‘,‖ it said.
18
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 2.1 (cont)
It allegedly had links to extremely violent and pornographic videos on YouTube showing homosexuals being executed superimposed over images of flag-draped coffins of dead Australian troops.
Police from Surry Hills in Sydney charged the 32-year-old with one count of using a carriage service to threaten in relation to the email.
He was also charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, relating to the Facebook page.
The arrest comes amid Canberra‘s Australian Defence Force Academy Skype scandal, with two army cadets last week facing court over allegations that one of them had sex with a fellow cadet and broadcast the encounter over Skype to the other cadet. That incident sparked public condemnation of the way the Defence Force handled the fallout ADFA commandant Bruce Kafer was forced to take leave by the Chief of Army, Ken Gillespie, last month and a suite of reviews and inquiries into Defence culture followed.
19
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 3.0
AFP Media Release http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/news/afp/2011/march/warrant-executed-in- glenroy-victoria.aspx
AFP Media Statement: Warrant executed in Glenroy, Victoria
Release Date: Friday, March 11 2011, 04:41 PM
The AFP can confirm it today executed a search warrant at a residential premises at Glenroy, Victoria.
Police seized a computer and mobile telephone at the premises.
A 39-year-old Glenroy man will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date, to face four counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, contrary to section 474.17 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
He will face allegations he harassed a federal member of parliament via phone and email.
20
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 4.0
Vic burglar who sent penis pics is jailed
13:42 AEST Fri Nov 12 2010 By Melissa Iaria http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8138812/vic-burglar-who-sent-penis-pics-is-jailed
Shane Anthony Willis, 33 – Sun Herald
A serial burglar was in a "drug-induced stupor" when he photographed his penis with mobile phones he stole and sent the images to the owners' contacts, a court has been told.
Shane Anthony Willis, 33, has been jailed for a minimum four years and five months for a string of burglaries in inner Melbourne and regional Victoria between January and April this year.
The Victorian County Court was told on Friday that people were home during nine of Willis's 14 burglaries, during which he stole cash, wallets, credit cards, mobile phones, iPhones, jewellery and other goods, many of which were not recovered.
On four occasions he used a mobile phone he had stolen to photograph his penis and then sent the images to people on the phones' contact lists.
Among those receiving the images was a 13-year-old girl.
Willis, who had been a user of heroin, amphetamines and methamphetamines, described his actions as stupid and said he been in a "drug-induced stupor" at the time, the court was told.
A psychologist found there was no evidence of sexual deviance.
In sentencing, Judge Jane Patrick described the antics as disgusting and offensive.
21
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 4.0 (cont)
She said his actions left his victims shocked and scared.
"You clearly did not care whether they'd be received by children or elderly people," she said.
Judge Patrick said Willis acted brazenly, undeterred by the prospect people might be home when he burgled their premises.
She said people had the right to feel safe in their homes and his victims now felt frightened being home alone.
22
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 4.0
Willis, of Fitzroy North, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including nine counts of aggravated burglary, 31 counts of theft, five of burglary and six of using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend.
Judge Patrick said he had an extensive criminal history, including stints in jail, and his prospects for rehabilitation were low.
But she noted that the father-of-two was still young and now drug-free, taking steps to improve himself in prison.
She also accepted Willis did not have a violent history and his crimes were opportunistic.
Willis was jailed for a maximum six years and two months for the theft and burglary-related charges.
Once his minimum term expires, he must serve an extra three months for the mobile phone offences.
23
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 5.0
John X Berlin facing new charges
The Daily Examiner Graham Orams | 15th October 2010 http://www.dailyexaminer.com.au/story/2010/10/15/john-x-berlin-new-charges-clarence-valley/
John X Berlin faces court again
MACLEAN man John X Berlin faced Maclean Local Court again this week to face existing charges and a series of new charges.
Charges already laid on Berlin include two of using a carriage service (in this case email and fax) to menace, harass or offend.
They also include using a false official instrument with intent to pervert the course of justice; using false evidence to mislead a judicial tribunal; and breaching his bail conditions.
Those matters were adjourned until December 6 when Berlin will face Grafton Local Court.
Berlin, of McLachlan Street, Maclean, also faced nine new charges when he fronted court this week.
They include six separate charges of illegally using police insignia.
He has also been charged with impersonate with intent to commit fraud.
Documents show other new charges Berlin faced this week in Maclean included doing an activity using an operating name that included the word ‗police' and obtaining a valuable thing by using a false statement
24
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 5.0 (cont)
Berlin also faced a charge of possessing a police uniform while not being a police officer.
Those charges have been adjourned until November 9 when Berlin will return to Maclean Local Court.
Court documents state Berlin must enter a plea on those charges at that time.
25
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 6.0
Falsely accused man gets 'retaliation' from Queensland Child Safety Department for highlighting their error
Tony Koch From: The Australian October 07, 2010 12:00AM http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/falsely-accused-man-gets-retaliation-from- queensland-child-safety-department-for-highlighting-their-error/story-e6frg6nf-1225935123764
THE lawyer for a Toowoomba man has branded a charge against the grandfather as "payback".
Solicitor Bill Munro confirmed that the grandfather, who was falsely accused by Queensland's Child Safety Department of raping his daughter and fathering his own grandchild, was yesterday charged by police with "using a carriage service to harass or cause offence".
It is understood the charge relates to an allegation that the grandfather made a comment in a telephone conversation about what should happen to the child safety officer he considered responsible for the mistaken information in his file alleging he was guilty of rape and incest. Mr Munro said his client denies making any threat and said the charge was a disgrace.
"This smacks of payback and a refusal to accept an error was made and a refusal to acknowledge there was an unforgivable delay in following up complaints made by my client in his efforts to clear his name of the false allegations," he said. "This further line of persecution against my client is harassment."
The Queensland government last week appointed an external consultant to examine how the Department of Child Safety failed to heed the pleas of the 64-year-old man who was falsely accused of raping his daughter and fathering his grandchild.
The man was last year banned from having contact with his nine-year-old granddaughter because DCS records said he was guilty of rape and incest.
The man sought departmental records through Right to Information laws, and was able to show that the rape and incest documents referred to a different person with a similar surname. Departmental officers refused to correct the man's file and allow access to his granddaughter
26
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 7.0
Hospital locked down after threats Felicity Caldwell | 23rd July 2010 Queensland Times http://www.qt.com.au/story/2010/07/23/threats-cause-hospital-lock-down/
IPSWICH Hospital was locked down after a man threatened to shoot staff with a sawn-off shotgun.
Christopher Edward Clayton appeared in Ipswich Magistrates Court yesterday afternoon accused of making the threatening phone call to a terrified mental health worker.
But his defence lawyer Michael Kelly said Clayton had no intention of carrying out the alleged threats, which were merely a cry for help.
―He was seeking treatment... and looking for help,‖ Mr Kelly said.
―He became frustrated at the Queensland Health system in general and this person in particular.
―He has a history of mental health issues.
―He was having a rant, he was stressed out – it was just out of absolute frustration.
―He‘s willing to go to mental health and that‘s what he was trying to achieve.
―In his words he was banging his head against the wall trying to get help from mental health but that wasn‘t happening.‖
Mr Kelly said Clayton waited outside his Dinmore home for police to arrive and co-operated fully with the investigation.
Police searched the 35-year-old‘s home but did not find any weapons.
27
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 7.0 (cont)
Mr Kelly said the hospital was shut down on Wednesday after staff members informed the hospital hierarchy who told Health Minister Paul Lucas, who then contacted Police Minister Neil Roberts.
Clayton has not yet entered a plea on a charge of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence and wore a blue and white flannelette shirt, dark blue jeans but no shoes during the brief hearing.
Despite police prosecutors‘ objection, Clayton was granted bail to reappear in court on August 5.
Clayton was taken to Ipswich Hospital for a mental health assessment and possible admission and Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist said he would receive follow-up care in the community.
Darling Downs and West Moreton Health Service district chief executive officer Pam Lane confirmed a threat had been made to staff at the hospital.
―As is our standard procedure police were immediately called,‖ Ms Lane said.
―We regard the safety of our staff and patients as paramount. As such staff were alerted to the incident and advised accordingly.‖
28
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 8.0
Man 'sent' girl, 8, sex text
The Border Mail 25 Feb, 2011 07:04 AM http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/local/news/general/man-sent-girl-8-sex-text/2087017.aspx
A WARRANT was issued yesterday for a man accused of sending a sexually explicit text message and photograph to an eight-year-old girl.
Daniel Paul Belgiovane allegedly sent the text and photo on November 19 intended for a woman in the Albury area who had supposedly been in a relationship with him previously.
His text said: ―Look what happens when I think of you‖.
There was an accompanying photograph of an erect penis which was seen by the young girl. She showed her mother and stepfather. They reported the matter to police.
Albury police investigated and Belgiovane was interviewed in his home state of Western Australia and was charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend.
Magistrate Tony Murray issued a warrant for Belgiovane, 29, of Ravensthorpe, after he did not appear in Albury Local Court yesterday.
The phone had previously been used by the mother, but was given to her daughter.
When Albury police rang the mobile phone number from which the text and photograph were sent, it was answered by a man claiming his name was Jason.
He told police the message was intended for the child‘s mother.
But the mother said she did not have any former partner by that name and did not know who had sent it.
Belgiovane told Ravens-thorpe police on December 1 that he had a previous relationship with the mother and that the message was meant for her, with no intention of any child seeing it.
Police were told by the mother that Belgiovane was a friend of her brother about six years ago.
She was puzzled about why he would claim to have had a relationship with her or send an offensive message.
29
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 9.0
Matthew Newton arrested
Herald Sun | February 09, 2011 11.43am http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/02/09/205795_entertainment.html
Breached an AVO ... Matthew Newton allegedly telephoned Rachael Taylor. Photo: Getty Images
Matthew Newton bipolar, PTSD sufferer appears in court in Sydney accused of breaching an apprehended violence order.
ACTOR Matthew Newton has been charged with breaching an Apprehended Violence Order against his ex-fiancee Rachael Taylor.
The 34-year-old is alleged to have contacted Ms Taylor by phone over the weekend, which would breach of a court order stipulating he must have no contact with her.
Police said Newton presented himself to Kings Cross police station yesterday afternoon where he was charged with contravening an AVO, and using a carriage service to harass, menace or intimidate.
Taylor took out the two-year AVO against Newton in August 2010 after two alleged domestic violence incidents between the pair at a hotel in Rome. She also alleged an eight-month history of physical and emotional abuse.
On January 30, in her first interview since the split, Taylor revealed she is moving on and in a new relationship with actor Josh Lawson.
In mid-January, Newton, 33, emerged from 100 days in a rehab clinic. He told the Sunday Telegraph that he was working on his fitness and taking things "one day at a time".
He released a statement at the time asking for privacy.
30
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 9.0 (cont)
"For the last five months I have been receiving full-time care and treatment for what specialists recently determined was a long-term and undiagnosed ailment," the statement read.
"The details of the ailment are at this stage a personal and private matter. Although I have now left the Northside West Clinic I am continuing with on-going treatment and will be for the forseeable future."
Newton has been granted bail and is due to face court on March 2.
31
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 10.0
Relevant Case - 2009
Bullies target alleged rape victim
BY NOEL TOWELL, LEGAL AFFAIRS REPORTER 21 Aug, 2009 06:59 AM The Canberra Times http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/bullies-target-alleged-rape- victim/1602131.aspx?storypage=0
A campaign of intimidation against a Tuggeranong schoolgirl who was allegedly raped by three older teenagers last month has escalated out of control, prosecutors say.
The ACT Magistrates Court heard yesterday that the boyfriend of the 16-year-old girl at the centre of the case was attacked, his car was torched and her mother received abusive phone calls.
A bail application hearing for one of the girl's alleged attackers, 18-year-old Kalonga Chifuntwe, was told a cyber-bullying campaign against the girl had also intensified.
All three of those accused of raping the girl deny the charges and none is accused of direct involvement in the harassment.
Chief Magistrate Ron Cahill told the court he had no words for his horror at the girl's treatment by some of her peers, and threatened indefinite time behind bars for anyone charged with harassment.
He warned that anyone accused of harassing the victim could face a lengthy period in custody. ''If anyone appears before me charged with involvement in this, they will be remanded in custody and they will stay in custody until the matter is resolved. That young people in that area of Canberra should be behaving like this gives me grave fears for the future of this city,'' he said.
Prosecutors told Mr Cahill that the alleged victim's boyfriend was approached at a Civic pub on Saturday night and asked if he was in a relationship with the girl. He told police he was punched in the face when he replied ''yes''.
Chifuntwe is accused, along with 18-year-old Michael Vaughan and a 17-year-old who cannot be named, of taking the girl from her school to one of their houses in June before raping her. Police believe the three filmed the attack on a mobile phone and distributed the video. Detectives are also investigating an incident on Monday night, when the tyres of the victim's
32
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 10.0 (cont)
boyfriend's car were slashed while it was parked outside a friend's home. When he returned to pick up the immobilised car the next day, it had been doused in petrol and set alight, police said.
The victim's mother has complained of a phone call in which the caller demanded to speak to her daughter. When the mother asked who was speaking, the caller said, ''I want to speak to your slut daughter.''
The court was also told that the girl had received online messages from other teenagers who threatened to go to the court in an effort at further intimidation.
Mr Cahill said the harassment amounted to mob violence and an attempt to pervert the course of justice, and had the potential to makes things worse for the three accused.
''It's such a perversion of our criminal justice system that I can't find words to express my horror,'' he said.
''That a young girl, who has made an allegation of rape, should be subjected to mob violence.
''These people haven't even got the guts to identify themselves and they are definitely not helping this defendant.''
Mr Cahill released Chifuntwe on bail conditions that he said amounted to ''virtual house arrest'', directing that the 18-year-old not be allowed to leave the house unless in the company of his mother or father, and neither have a mobile phone nor use a computer unless he was supervised.
33
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 10.1
Teen rape accused face more charges
Posted Fri Oct 23, 2009 9:00am AEDT http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/10/23/2722050.htm
Two senior Canberra school students are facing new charges in relation to allegations they had sex with a 16-year-old girl without her consent.
Michael Vaughan and Kalonga Chifuntwe - who are both 18 years old - are accused of sexually assaulting the teenager while she was severely affected by cannabis.
It is alleged that they drove the girl to a house then forced her to have sex with them.
A statement of facts tendered to the ACT Magistrates Court says after the incident, one of the men said to the girl, "we are not going to tell anyone about this, are we?"
It is also alleged the girl later received a text message from another person saying they had seen a video of the incident.
Yesterday in the ACT Magistrates Court the men each faced a new charge of using a child for the production of child pornography.
34
Appendix A - Additional Australian, USA & UK - Cases
The Human Faces
Behind
Cyberbullying Offences
a
USA - Case Study
by
Stewart Healley
May 2011
35
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 11.0
Related Information - United States of America
Preteen girls charged over Facebook sex prank
28 Apr, 2011 08:42 AM http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/preteen-girls-charged-over- facebook-sex-prank-20110428-1dxgb.html
Victim Leslie Cote wants her identity revealed to draw attention to cyber bullying. Photo: KVAL News
Two preteen US girls accused of hacking into a classmate's Facebook page and posting sexually explicit photos and messages have been charged with cyberstalking and first-degree computer trespassing.
The girls, ages 11 and 12, have been under investigation since the alleged victim's family contacted Issaquah police in Washington state on March 18, according to the charges filed in King County Juvenile Court. According to the charges, the two defendants used the victim's password information to post sexually explicit content on her Facebook page.
They also posted messages that indicated the victim was willing to perform sex acts on people.
The defendants instant-messaged some boys to arrange dates where sex acts were to be performed by the victim, according to the charges.
Jon Knight, the stepfather of the 12-year-old alleged victim, said his family is relieved that the case has resulted in criminal charges. He said that he wasn't taken seriously when he reported the incident to Issaquah police and to staff at Issaquah Middle School.
. Knight said her stepdaughter, Leslie Cote, has asked the media to use her name in hopes of bringing attention to the issue of cyberstalking.
36
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 11.0
United States of America (cont)
Issaquah police were called to the Cote-Knight home on March 18 after Leslie's mother, Tara Cote, called to report vulgar postings on her daughter's Facebook page, charges said. A woman who mentored Leslie told the family that she had noticed photos on the page had been changed to show Leslie with "devil's horns" and with the words "I'm a slut" scrawled across one image, prosecutors said.
The alterations and postings apparently became more vulgar as the night progressed.
Prosecutors said that Leslie had been over at a defendant's house in early March when she logged into Facebook. Leslie's password information was somehow stored on the other girl's computer.
After the girls had a falling out, the defendants hacked into the page "with the intent of embarrassing and tormenting the victim," Issaquah police Detective Ryan Raulerson wrote in the affidavit of probable cause filed to support the charges
Sara Niegowski, spokeswoman for the Issaquah School District, said Tuesday the district was not conducting its own investigation into the incident because it did not occur on school property. She said the defendants are still enrolled at Issaquah Middle School.
"This incident happened off-campus, off school time and not related to our school environments. There is no disciplinary action at all. It's not a school district incident," Niegowski said.
Niegowski said that the incident has not been a disruption at the school.
"You know what's a disruption is the media coverage," she said. "We always look out for the welfare of our students."
Knight said that his stepdaughter has been granted a restraining order forbidding the defendants from contacting her and barring them from riding her school bus. The three girls are in some of the same classes, Knight said.
On Tuesday, King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg said, "This case reveals the dark side of social media sites used by young people."
In a news release, Satterberg wrote: "Many kids think that on a social media site that their actions will be anonymous and that they are free to use it as weapon to bully, harass, and intimidate another person. This case demonstrates that assuming the identity of another person on the Internet with the intent to torment them and expose them to the harassment of others is a crime."
37
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 12.0
United States of America (cont)
Stonewall Jackson High School Student Charged With Facebook Bullying
6:42 PM, Mar 21, 2011 9NEWSNow - wusa9.com http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/142710/158/Teen-Charged-For-Bullying-Girls-On-Facebook
MANASSAS, Va. (WUSA) -- A 16-year-old girl has been charged with harassment for making a Facebook page targeting other girls at a high school, police said.
The teen's page was called "Stonewall Hoes," police said. The page was created to "insult her classmates" at Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas.
The page pictured nine underage girls, with "lewd" comments underneath the photos, police said. The page has been taken down by authorities.
The teen faces fines and up to a year in jail for the charges. She faces charges for harassment by computer, a class one misdemeanor.
According to Virginia law, harassment by computer is, "If any person, with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass any person, shall use a computer or computer network to communicate obscene, vulgar, profane, lewd, lascivious, or indecent language, or make any suggestion or proposal of an obscene nature, or threaten any illegal or immoral act, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor."
[Note: The girl who created it has been suspended, possibly expelled, and is also facing a charge of harassment by computer, a class one misdemeanor, a charge that carries a possible sentence of one year in prison and fine of up to $2,500.]
Monica Escobar, a student, says a friend of hers was one of the girls depicted on the website with a lewd comment. She said she didn't think the page was right, and that it's unfair, untrue and ruins reputations.
School officials can't comment on specific cases but did say that cyberbullying can get a student expelled especially when it reaches the level of a crime.
38
Appendix A - Additional Australian, USA & UK - Cases
The Human Faces
Behind
Cyberbullying Offences
a
UK - Case Study
by
Stewart Healley
May 2011
39
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 13.0
Related Information - United Kingdom
Tormented by trolling: The vile web craze that taunted family of bullied Natasha even after her suicide
By Daily Mail Reporter - Beth Hale Last updated at 2:10 PM on 26th February 2011 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1360788/Natasha-MacBryde-suicide-Vile-web-craze- taunted-family-bullied-girl-death.html
Tragic: Natasha MacBryde died under a train on Valentine's Day. The grief of family was made worse by sick 'trolls'
As incomprehension turned to grief in the aftermath of his teenage son Tom’s suicide, Robert Mullaney was able to draw some small comfort from the messages of sympathy posted on an online memorial page.
It was only two days earlier that 15-year-old Tom had been looking forward to a family holiday, and had just become the proud owner of a season ticket for his beloved Birmingham City.
So the youngster‘s sudden disappearance from the family home in Bournville was mystifying, giving rise to a sleepless night for his worried parents Robert and Tracy, who hoped their son had decided to stay over at a friend‘s.
The following morning, Robert was preparing to go to work at the local car plant when he made a tragic discovery: in a sudden and apparently savage act of despair, Tom had hanged himself behind the shed at the bottom of the garden.
In anguish and disbelief, Robert returned to the house to break the devastating news to his wife.
40
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 13.0 (cont)
Of course, no parent should ever have to bear the agony of such untimely loss. But the grief of their son‘s suicide was only the start of a dreadful nightmare for the Mullaneys — triggered by a bizarre new internet trend known as ‗trolling‘.
Only days later, sitting at his computer reading messages of condolence from Tom‘s friends, Robert came across one of several photographs of his son and could not believe what he was seeing.
The pictures had been digitally doctored: in one, a noose had been added to the image and whoever was responsible, posting under the name ‗Derrick Smith‘, had written a caption which said: ‗Hang in there Tom!‘
‗I was horrified,‘ says Robert, 48. ‗It‘s disgusting that somebody can degrade a memorial in that way. At first I saw the images on Facebook, which were so distressing I can‘t describe them, then there were vile comments.‘
A posting under the name ‗Odette ―Oph‖ Philly-Cross‘ read: ‗Why would you make an RIP page about someone that‘s clearly a wimp?? That‘s just embarrassing.‘
Robert was appalled. ‗It was just awful. Tracy was with me, so there was no way of shielding her from it. She was crying and in bits, and people were phoning to ask if we‘d seen what was on Facebook.
‗I didn‘t know who could have done it, or why. I had to spend 45 minutes sitting at the computer with those terrible images in front of me, trying to erase them, which eventually I managed to do. But I will never, ever forget them.‘
The images are an insult to a young boy‘s memory. They are also symptomatic of the methods used by twisted individuals — known as ‗trolls‘ — who take pleasure in making inflammatory posts which cause grief and pain.
Trolls — the term is thought to derive from a fishing technique of slowly dragging a baited hook from a moving boat — anonymously seek to provoke outrage by posting insults and abuse on online message boards.
Even more appallingly, some enjoy ‗RIP trolling‘ where they post shocking comments on memorial pages.
Their intention is to be as inflammatory as possible, then they sit back and revel in online reaction to the hurt they have caused.
41
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 13.0
They say they do it for the ‗LULZ‘, or laughs, a computer shorthand version of LOL, meaning Laugh Out Loud. Yes, trolling even has its own language: YHBT means You Have Been Trolled, for example.
The sadistic craze made the headlines earlier this week following the death of Worcestershire schoolgirl Natasha MacBryde, 15, who died under a train on Valentine‘s Day.
Friends set up a remembrance page for Natasha on Facebook, but among the many touching words of condolence were sick images created by someone who had posted Natasha‘s photograph, surrounded by phrases including: ‗I caught the train to heaven LOL.‘
'I cannot understand how or why these people get any enjoyment or satisfaction from making such disgraceful comments,' said Natasha's father Andrew
A macabre video on YouTube entitled ‗Tasha The Tank Engine‘ brought further grief for her family.
All images were removed within hours, and Facebook deleted the page belonging to the person who had posted it — someone calling himself ‗Pro Fesser‘ — but the harm was already done.
‗I am disgusted at these comments made by some seriously sick individuals,‘ said Natasha‘s father, Andrew.
‗I cannot understand how or why these people get any enjoyment or satisfaction from making such disgraceful comments.‘
Last week the Mail tracked down two trollers, one of them the ‗Pro Fesser‘. He agreed to speak to us after we found him with the help of an American expert on trolling.
We were told he was an American, living in Britain, who would not engage in direct communication but would answer online questions through a third party.
Anonymity is an all-too-convenient cloak for trolls, who operate under a string of bogus user names.
As one would expect, ‗Pro‘s‘ responses to our questions were provocative and shocking. His twisted boasts about how much fun it is to mock the dead will sicken anyone, but particularly those who have lost a loved one.
Why did he make these shameful posts?
42
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 13.0
‗My basic motivation for making these images, as well as many, many others, is that I despise people that feel the need to make RIP pages, and hunt for people to tell them they feel sorry for them.
‗In my opinion a grief tourist (someone who doesn‘t know the deceased) is a terrible person. They feel the need to find random memorial pages and tell people how bad they feel for them.
‗Also, it‘s very funny to mock the dead. I find humour in seeing other people being hurt. If I can make my friends and myself laugh at the expense of a dead person, who won‘t be bothered one bit, I‘m guessin‘, then why not do it?‘
Some enjoy ‘RIP trolling’ where they post shocking comments on memorial pages
But even if the dead can feel no pain, what about the victim‘s family and friends? Does he feel no remorse or guilt for the inestimable hurt he causes them?
‗I‘m not going to lie. I should feel bad about what I did,‘ he said. ‗But I don‘t. It‘s for the LULZ.
‗I‘ve trolled everything,‘ he bragged, adding that he was introduced to the sick trend by his wife ‗Daizy‘.
‗It doesn‘t matter what I troll, as long as I‘m laughing. My main motivation is bringing chaos into a perfect little world some have been enjoying.
‗I thrive on others‘ pain and stupidity. The pages I tend to go to are either found by me or another troll, out on the hunt for LULZ. Finding a site to troll isn‘t a problem. It‘s being clever enough to make people laugh and hate you at the same time.‘
‗Pro‘ said Facebook shut down his account up to ten times a day, but he can have another one up and running within three minutes.
Facebook has become a playground for trolls, but so too have other social networking sites — not least a huge U.S.-based arena called 4chan, the largest active forum in America, with 8.2 million unique users every month.
Such is the popularity of trolling that it has now developed an online ‗community‘ with websites dedicated to creating ‗memes‘ — the word trolls have adopted to describe their taunting images and videos.
The craze is celebrated on a website calling itself the Encyclopedia Dramatica, which lists various trolls and their exploits. Set up in 2004 by American Joseph Evans, much of its content is racist, misogynist and sexually explicit, and the site prides itself on being controversial and uncensored.
43
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 13.0
Family tragedy: Natasha pictured with brother James
One page is dedicated to 13-year-old Gloucestershire boy Sam Leeson, who was driven to suicide in 2008, after being taunted online by cyber-bullies. The Encyclopedia Dramatica mockingly describes him as ‗an hero‘ — another trolling phrase, deliberately ungrammatical, used to refer to people who have committed suicide.
After Sam‘s death the cyber-bullying continued, this time by an anonymous group of trolls who mocked him with cruel one-liners, and even created ‗joke‘ videos of cartoon figures swinging by their necks.
A video parodying Sam‘s death was posted on YouTube. The man responsible for that video, an American from California calling himself David Failkips, offered the Mail an insight into the trolls‘ sick mentality.
‗It‘s not real life, even though real people are the participants,‘ he said, sneering that anyone upset by the posts had a simple option.
‗If you don‘t like what you‘re reading, you can always close a window or hit a ―block‖ button or disconnect,‘ he said.
‗Mourning should be a private thing for friends and family of the deceased, and I see internet memorial pages as being disrespectful to the dead.
‗Internet-based memorial is irresistible to those who are bored enough for some mud-slinging.‘
Whitney Phillips, a PhD student at the University of Oregon, studied trolls for her doctorate. She says they are mostly men in their 20s and early 30s, usually college-educated and intelligent.
‗They are scavengers, picking up scraps of what is being discussed in the media and then doing stuff with it,‘ Phillips says.
44
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 13.0
It is impossible to say how many of them exist: Phillips estimates there are probably thousands, but the number is growing.
‗Trolling started to grow online in the 1990s,‘ she says. ‗But it was in the early 2000s that it started to take on its own sub-culture, with its own language, jokes and identity.
‗Pretty much everybody who goes online has encountered jokes that have emerged from trolling. RIP trolling is just one part of a bigger trend.‘
Anonymity is an all-too-convenient cloak for trolls, who operate under a string of bogus user names
Campaigners for tighter controls on the internet say trolling can and must be stopped. Sherry Adhami, director of communications for the charity Beatbullying, says: ‗This is utterly unacceptable and just another kind of cyber-bullying.
‗What social networking has done is provide another platform for bullies. Emotional abuse like this is utterly unacceptable, and just conjures up more pain for the grieving and vulnerable.
‗This is an epidemic. There is no law to stop it, and it needs absolute, immediate intervention. No matter what pseudonym these people use, they need to understand that they are not invincible. It is possible to find out who they are: somebody can trace them.‘
Social networking sites eject those who don‘t put up pages under their own names or ban those intent on malicious activity. This has made trolling more complicated, but it has not stopped users returning to sites with a new profile.
A spokeswoman for Facebook says it encourages its users to report any misuse or abuse of the site.
‗In instances when abuse is reported to us, we react swiftly, and we will disable accounts that are found to be in breach of these terms,‘ the spokeswoman said.
‗Once we identify a trolling account, or one is reported to us, we have systems in place that analyse the account to identify other suspicious profiles, allowing us to identify and remove other malicious accounts. (Not an easy task when Facebook has 500 million users worldwide.)
‗Sadly, a tiny number of malicious people wish to upset others, both in real life and on the internet.‘
The site insists that blocking the unique code that identifies every computer in Britain (otherwise known as an Internet Protocol address) is not realistic.
45
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 13.0
But the Mullaneys, the MacBrydes and others like them insist that something must be done to improve policing of the internet.
‗We‘d never heard of trolls before Tom died,‘ says Robert Mullaney.
‗But now we know what they are, and every time we hear of another family going through what we went through nine months ago, everything comes flooding back.
‗What the trolls do is disgusting. They descend like a pack of wolves.
‘They think they’re invincible, but there has to be a way to show them they are not.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1360788/Natasha-MacBryde-suicide-Vile- web-craze-taunted-family-bullied-girl-death.html#ixzz1MNcKRbbS
46
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 14.0
Related Information - United Kingdom
Virtual police to patrol Facebook in hunt for cyber bullies
By Daily Mail Reporter Created 4:06 PM on 26th February 2011 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1360908/Virtual-police-patrol-Facebook-hunt-cyber-bullies.html
Facebook police warnings will soon be issued to cyber bullies in a crackdown on serious social network-related crimes.
Officers will step in and send a written online message telling the student they could be prosecuted for a public order offence if they continue to use the site to pursue victims.
The rising concern over Facebook bullying has come about following a spate of recent incidents and rising reports of Facebook 'Trolling' where bullies leave shocking comments on online memorial pages.
Caught: Police will send a warning message to anyone found sending threatening messages through social networking sites
Gloucestershire teenager Sam Leeson, 13, was driven to suicide in 2008 after being taunted by cyber-bullies.
The Facebook profiles of Sam and Natasha MacBryde who died under a train on Valentines Day, even continued to be targeted by school bullies after their deaths, who carried out 'RIP- Trolling' alongside their friends and families' messages of condolence.
Over the next three months police officers plan to work with schools in Reading where 60 Facebook-related crimes have been reported in four months alone.
47
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 14.0 (cont)
Related Information - United Kingdom
Teachers will tip them off whenever a parent believes their child could be a cyber-bully victim.
Police say 'nipping the problem in the bud' early on will avoid the problem becoming more serious.
PC Dave Thomas of Thames Valley Police said: 'In Reading alone, we recorded 60 Facebook- related crimes in the last quarter.
Hunt: Police officers will work with schools in Reading where 60 Facebook-related crimes have been reported in four months alone
'By sending a police warning notice on Facebook students will be made aware they could be prosecuted.
'By alerting their parents to the problem, we are aiming to nip the problem in the bud and prevent it becoming something more serious.
'Social networkers, whatever their age, often don‘t think about what they are writing in the same way they would think about what they write in a letter or an email.
'If we have to investigate Facebook messages as harassment or public order offences and the young person gets charged, it could seriously affect their future.
'While we want them to realise how serious the matter is, we also want to avoid that and keep young people out of the criminal justice system if possible.'
Cyber-bully deaths have risen as a result of the social-networking craze, with school children and college students being some of the worst offenders.
Two girls at an elite prep school in Connecticut, US, were expelled and four suspended after setting up a Facebook group which attacked pupils they did not like in November last year.
Police will recruit a teenage police volunteer in their Facebook project who will help identify any new cases of the crime.
Once a cyber bullying issue is flagged by a school or parent to an officer, the team will investigate what has been written and, if it is deemed inappropriate, they will send the bully a message warning them if they continue they could be breaking the law.
The young person‘s parents will also be sent a letter informing them what their child has been doing and the potential consequences of their actions.
48
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 14.0 (cont)
Related Information - United Kingdom
The trial will run until May and, if successful, could be rolled out elsewhere.
A Facebook spokesperson said: 'While you can‘t report a conversation in the playground or easily stop a person sending abusive, anonymous text messages, Facebook have worked hard to develop reporting mechanisms that enable people to report offensive content they are concerned about.
These reports are then reviewed by our highly trained team before the appropriate action is taken. Having the tools to report content in this way gives people more control over what is said about them on Facebook than over the wider web where few such controls exist.‘
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1360908/Virtual-police-patrol-Facebook- hunt-cyber-bullies.html#ixzz1MNWsId6v
49
Appendix A - Additional Australian, USA & UK - Cases
The Human Faces
Behind
Cyberbullying Offences
Relevant Information for Australian Inquiry
by
Stewart Healley
May 2011
50
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 15.0
Relevant Information - Australia
Bully victims paid $1m
Gemma Jones From: The Daily Telegraph December 19, 2010 11:00PM http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/bully-victims-paid-1m/story-fn6ck4a4-1225973640798
NSW Education Minister Verity Firth speaks during a press conference in Homebush, Sydney after viewing HSC artworks that were needing to be marked. Picture: Tracee Lea Source: The Daily Telegraph
SCHOOL bullying victims have received almost $1 million in compensation from the Department of Education since January last year.
One student who was harassed over 10 years won $500,000 in a court settlement, while two children were paid more than $15,000 each after their arms were broken by bullies
Another boy was paid more than $4200 because he claimed harassment by teachers caused him to fail his HSC.
The claims, which include both physical and severe psychological injuries up to September 30, were obtained under freedom of information laws by the Opposition.
The figures show students whose claims were settled by the department received less than those who went to court.
A student who claimed to have been assaulted and that bullying caused a psychiatric illness was given $11,636.
The claims coincide with the Child Death Review Team this year that revealed several students committed suicide in 2009 after being bullied.
51
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 15.0
Relevant Information - Australia
One boy who claimed to suffer from gender identity disorder was "teased and threatened" at school.
Another boy was driven out of school by "taunts" in the lead-up to his suicide, while a third boy was also the subject of "taunts and bullying" while at his school.
The compensation claims show staff won payouts of more than $5000 between them over bullying cases, including ongoing sexual harassment in the school workplace and bullying and victimisation by a superior.
"These documents confirm that bullying is rife in our public schools, with both students and teachers feeling the brunt of it," Opposition education spokesman Adrian Piccoli said yesterday.
"What is worse is the state is losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in claims from students and teachers that have been victims of bullying.
"Bullying can leave its victims with severe and lasting physical and psychological damage, and it must be stamped out immediately."
A spokesman for Education Minister Verity Firth said there were 26 claims which were "a tiny proportion" of staff and students.
"We have given principals the power to impose strong sanctions to counter bullying, including suspensions of up to 20 days," he said.
"NSW public schools are among the safest places in the community for young people, and serious incidents of violence are rare."
The department has introduced a web guide for parents on cyber bullying, including tips on how to prevent it.
52
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 16.0
Relevant Information - Australia
SA to conduct review of school bullying
From: AAP February 23, 2011 12:01AM http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/sa-to-conduct-review-of-school-bullying/story-fn6ck4a4-1226010080255
SCHOOL BULLYING REVIEW: Education Minister Jay Weatherill. Picture: Greg Higgs Source: AdelaideNow
SOUTH Australia will conduct a review of bullying in schools after a recent assault case where a high school student was knocked unconscious when he was punched in the face.
Education Minister Jay Weatherill has appointed former education department boss Bill Cossey to conduct the review which will look at the policies and practices in place to deal with bullying and violence in schools.
He will take a particular look at how anti-bullying policies were applied in the recent northern suburbs case which resulted in assault charges being laid against a number of students.
The incident was recorded on mobile phones and the video uploaded to the internet.
"Violence is a sad reality of our daily lives. It is in our streets, in our workplaces, in social settings and in our homes, Mr Weatherill said.
"It is not learned in our schools, but brought into our schools.
"However, our schools have an obligation to deal decisively and assertively with violence and bullying when it presents itself and it is vital that the community has confidence that this is indeed happening."
Mr Weatherill said the review would also look at the reporting relationship between schools and education authorities, and between schools and police in relation to bullying, and would
53
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 16.0
Relevant Information - Australia
consider the recent Queensland Schools Alliance Against Violence report.
The minister said South Australia was an acknowledged leader in tackling bullying in schools.
"But in the light of recent events, it is appropriate that we now review our policies and practices to see what lessons can be learned from this incident and consider what can be learned from recent work on this issue,'' he said
54
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 17.0
Relevant Information - Australia
Queensland bullying rates continue to rise as half of students report incidents
Tanya Chilcott From: The Courier-Mail March 14, 2011 12:00AM http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/features/queensland-bullying-rates-continue-to-rise-as-half- of-students-report-incidents/story-fn50ufcf-1226020749479
BULLYING rates continue to skyrocket in Queensland schools, with new research revealing about one-in-two senior primary and high school students were affected during a one-year period.
It comes as the State Government ramps up its crackdown on bullying today, announcing the rollout of a cyber safety program in all state schools.
Education Minister Cameron Dick said the rollout of the Alannah and Madeline Foundation eSmart Schools system would help principals and teachers to develop strategies to manage cyber safety, including cyber-bullying.
It follows a recommendation from the Queensland Schools Alliance Against Violence last year that all schools should adopt a cyber safety strategy.
The former Victorian government also announced last year their schools would roll out the system, but Queensland will be the first state in Australia to do so.
"A lot of good work is being done in Queensland schools around bullying and cyber bullying, but this system will give schools another tool to help them deal with these challenging issues," Mr Dick said.
"eSmart provides direct access to resources, assists schools in developing plans, policies and procedures, and encourages positive partnerships with parents.
"All students have the right to learn in a safe, supportive and nurturing environment so they can reach their full potential in life.
"Cyber safety is a serious issue which requires collective attention and action from government, school staff, school communities, parents and students."
55
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 17.0
Relevant Information - Australia
The new system will also require schools to prove their anti-bullying policies are working and to review them on a regular basis - a recommendation made to the Government in a report last year by bullying expert Professor Ken Rigby.
It comes as new research shows rates of bullying continue to climb.
But lead cyber-bullying expert QUT Associate Professor Marilyn Campbell, said it was not known whether bullying was increasing, or whether it was being reported more because of an intense public focus on the issue.
Dr Campbell's research, which involved more than 3000 students in Years 6 to 12 in Queensland and South Australia, found about one-in-three students said they had been a victim of either cyber-bullying or face-to-face bullying in the previous year.
But the rate was much higher in Queensland, with 45.7 per cent reporting they were bullied in some way during the past year.
The research - undertaken in 2009 and led by Dr Campbell, Professor Phillip Slee from Flinders University and the University of South Australia's Dr Barbara Spears - will be presented next month at the International Observatory of Violence in Schools.
Mr Dick encouraged all schools to take a stand against bullying by getting involved in the first National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence this Friday.
56
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 18.0
Relevant Information - Australia
School bullies part of solution under 'shared concern' method of intervention by Rodney Chester From: The Courier-Mail March 15, 2010 12:00AM http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/features/school-bullies-part-of-solution-under-shared-concern- method-of-intervention/story-fn50ufcf-1225840608570
Bullying Tips
Watch Close
SCHOOLYARD bullies go from being the problem to part of the solution in a strategy that research shows has had a 90 per cent success rate.
The "method of shared concern" is one of six strategies Adjunct Professor Ken Rigby, of the University of South Australia, yesterday said were the key to fighting bullying in schools around the country.
Professor Rigby is the author of a report he recently delivered to the State Government that concluded Queensland schools were failing to deal adequately with bullying.
While most bullying experts agree there is no "silver bullet" to stopping bullying, Prof Rigby has identified the six most effective methods of fighting bullying.
He will detail the research into the methods at the 4th Biennial National Centre Against Bullying conference in Melbourne next month and they form the focus of his upcoming book Bullying Intervention in Schools.
Along with the shared concern approach, Prof Rigby said other solutions included a controversial support group system developed in the UK, in which teachers called on the power of empathy within the school community to overcome the negative force of bullying.
57
Additional Cyberbullying – Offences (cont)
Example: # A 18.0
Relevant Information - Australia
Prof Rigby said the method of shared concern involved a series of one-on-one interviews with the children involved in the bullying group and asking them to put forward a way of helping a student who has been identified as having a problem.
"There's no accusation, one's got to be very careful that there is no blame being directed," he said. "What happens very often is that the individuals who are bullying largely because of the pressures of the group they are in realise that it's in their best interests to get the situation cleared up so that they're no longer in a bullying group, because they might themselves be bullied.
"Punishment often results in bullying going underground.
"This method of dealing with bullying works to change students' behaviour and stop the bullying altogether."
He said the shared concern method worked with older rather than younger students and did not work when a child had been a victim of extreme violence.
Prof Rigby said all Queensland schools should have an anti-bullying policy that was posted on their website both as information for parents and as an incentive for the school to think of what they were doing.
Prof Rigby said most children tended to grow out of bullying.
"But there is a small group of about 10 per cent who are identified as being extreme bullies in early secondary and they continue, and these are the people we are most concerned about."
*Authors Note:
This small group of about 10 % of students - need to be streamed into a Police Charge / Caution – Court Diversionary Program – with a Restorative Justice Approach, similar to the Authors “Respect it or Lose it” Restorative Justice Pathway - Model #2
This Restorative Approach encourages young offenders to challenge and change their behaviour choices and become a recognised member of a supportive school community.
58
The End
59
60
The Human Faces
Behind
Cyberbullying Offences
an
Australian Case Study
when
“Using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence”
by
Stewart Healley
May 2011
1
Telecommunication Offences - Australian Cases
“Using a carriage service to menace or harass or cause offence”
Summary Examples #:
Australian Cases of Cyberbullying
1. Daniel McDonald (19) - ADFA Cadet – Indecent Act + Skype Broadcast Sexual Act Dylan De-Blaquiere (18/19/?) - ADFA Cadet – Skype Broadcast Recipient – [30/04/2011]
2. Ronald William Albert ( ? ) – Ex Couple [Offensive Phone Calls After Police Warning] Julie Meikle (36) – Ex Couple [Offensive Phone Calls After Police warning] – [29/04/2011]
3. Bradley Paul Hampson (29) – Internet ―Trolling‖ Offensive - Messages & Photos on ―RIP‖ Tribute Web Sites. – [20/04/2011]
4. John Elias (48) – NRL Football Betting Scandal – Contacting Witnesses – [23/03/2011]
5. Name Withheld - Male (24) – sent 22 x Text & Photos to 2 x 15 Year Old Girls – [24/02/2011]
6. Peter James Hopwood (23) – Threatening Phone Calles to Ex Partner – [21/02/2011]
7. Jason Ronald Vaughan (35) – Threatening 2 x Women e-mails & phone calls – [10/01/2011]
8. Lidija Dumbaloska (37) – Former Girlfriend Macedonian Ambassador – [02/01/2011]
9. Danziel Marcia McNamara (47) – Derogatory Comments via 15 x Text Messages - [11/12/2010]
10. John Desmond Allen (31) – 79 x Phone Calls to Peel Police Station and 500 x Phone Calls to Church of Scientology – 70 calls in one day + Abusive Calls – [03/11/2010]
11. Unnamed Male (25) – Police Sting Operation posing as 13 Year Old Girl – Sexually Explicit Phone Text and Internet Messages – [27/08/2010]
12. Dale McAlpine (30) – Initial contact with 11 Year Old Girl – Police took over Contact recording Sexually Explicit and menacing E-mail Messages – [13/08/2010]
13. Brodie Owen Koina (20) - sending abusive texts messages to his ex-girlfriend and her new lover. ―I am forced to ask why you haven’t grown up like everybody else,‖ Her Honour said. ―I suggest you need some relationship counselling.‖ – [13/08/2010]
14. Unnamed (33) Male – Attempting to Procure & Transmit Indecent Communications . – [10/08/2010]
2
Summary (cont)
Examples #:
Australian Cases of Cyberbullying (cont)
15. Denis Mulheron (62) – ―WORDS NOT ILLEGAL‖ ― Niggers‖ & ―Sandnigger Terrorists‖ . – [10/08/2010]
16. Murray Colin Stubbs (45) – Ex Teacher - Canberra ACT - Grooming – NZ Police Sting Operation posing as a 14 Year Old Girl. . – [05/08/2010]
17. Jessica Chantelle Cook (22) – Internet Troll – ―Cook described herself as a ―troll‖ - a person who defaces internet tribute sites to cause grief.‖ – [03/08/2010]
18. Lindsay Ann Mastroieni (22) - sent six abusive text messages to the girlfriend of alleged murderer Ryan Dwyer. – [15/01/2010]
19. Sutherland Police Officer (43) - stalking and making physical threats towards his Sydney neighbour. – [01/04/2010]
20. Unnamed (29) Male - sending Threatening emails to a radio talkback host in the wake of the Cronulla riots and public disorder incidents in December Unnamed (21) Male - Strike Force Enoggera is a Police initiative specifically set up to investigate the Cronulla race-based riot - [08/02/2006]
21. Unnamed (33) Male - Matraville - repeatedly sent out two messages telling people to gather at Cronulla last Sunday, a week after the initial riot – [23/12/2005]
22. Unnamed (19) Male - Canberra used Facebook to threaten another man, that man’s brother and the brother’s girlfriend for more than two weeks [?]
Victims of Work Place Bullying
23. Brodie Panlock (19) - committed suicide when she jumped off the roof of an apartment building after being bullied by co-workers at a Hawthorn cafe.[Sept 2006]
Victims of Overseas Cyberbullying in Australia
24. Cameron Lowe (17) – died after street fight : Ghoulish Facebook Tribute Website vandals mock Australian laws [November 2010]
3
Summary (cont)
Examples #:
Victims of Cyberbullying in Australia
25. Overview of Suicide - Alex Wildman (14); Chanelle Rae (14); Allem Halik (17)
26. Geelong Teen s Suicide Deaths - Chanelle Rae (14); Natalie Rowe (14); Zac Harvey (15) & Taylor Jennsen (16) – [Girlfriend
27. Alex Wildman (14) died in 2008 following repeated bullying at schools in Sydney and Lismore, on the state's north coast of NSW.
28. Allem Halkic (17) jumped from Melbourne's West Gate Bridge on Feb. 5, 2009, after an ex-friend sent him a stream of threatening messages via SMS and the internet. On April 8, Allem's tormentor, Shane Phillip Gerada, 21, became the first person in Australia to face prosecution for stalking via cyberbullying when he pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates Court to stalking. Said magistrate Peter Reardon, "It demonstrates SMS messages or internet communication may have severe consequences on intended victims, whether meant to or not."
Victims of Cyberbullying in USA
29. Seth Walsh (13) – Hung himself at Home. Even before he came out, he was teased enough, his grandparents say, that he was homeschooled on two separate occasions. Seth's grandparents say the breaking point came after what they believe was a bullying incident in a local park on Sept. 19. After the incident, Seth appeared to be acting normally at home
30. Asher Brown (13) - Shot himself at Home. T he family actually relocated to the Cypress- Fairbanks area, away from another district because they say Asher Brown was also being bullied there -- a move they say only made things worse The Truongs say their son often tried to hide that he was being picked on because he felt the bullying would get worse if he told. They say the night before his suicide, he seemed sad. When they asked what was wrong, they say they let it go after he said he was fine.
31. Tyler Clementi (18) - Jumped off Bridge and Drowned This occurred after his sexual encounter with a man in his dorm room was video streamed over the Internet without Clementi's knowledge, by his roommate Dharun Ravi and a fellow hallmate Molly Wei, and after a second attempt was made by Ravi to record Clementi's sexual encounters.
32. Jon Carmichael (13) - Hung himself at Home. Bullying may have claimed the life of another student. Jon Carmichael took his own life Sunday after some say he was bullied by bigger classmates
4
Summary (cont)
Examples #:
Australian Government CyberbBullying Initiatives
.
33. May 2008 – The Australian Government committed $125.8 million over four years to a comprehensive cybersafety plan to combat online risks and help parents and educators protect children from inappropriate material. Measures include increased funding towards cybersafety education and awareness raising activities, content filtering and law enforcement.
The government’s commitment to cybersafety includes:
expanding the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Child Protection Operations Team to detect and investigate online child sex exploitation
funding to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions to manage increased activity resulting from the AFP work to ensure that prosecutions are handled quickly
funding to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA) to:
- implement a comprehensive range of cybersafety education activities including improving current government - cybersafety website resources, make them easier for parents to use, and to provide up-to-date information, - implement an online helpline to provide a quick and easy way for children to report online incidents that cause them concern
developing and implementing ISP filtering, which included undertaking a real world live pilot
expanding the Consultative Working Group that considers the broad range of cybersafety issues and advises government to ensure properly-developed and targeted policy initiatives
forming a Youth Advisory Group to provide advice to the Consultative Working Group on cybersafety issues from a young person’s perspective
ongoing cybersafety research into the changing digital environment to identify issues and target future policy and funding.
5
Summary (cont)
Examples #:
Australian Government CyberbBullying Initiatives (cont)
34. May 2009 - The Youth Advisory Group is one part of the Government's $125.8 million cyber-safety plan announced in May 2008, which includes a comprehensive range of measures such as:
law enforcement, including 91 extra Australian Federal Police officers education and information measures resources such as help-lines and websites ISP content filtering consultative arrangements with industry, child protection bodies, and Research to identify possible areas for further action.
35. November 2010 - The Gillard government has agreed to a Senate inquiry's recommendation that it devise and fund a suicide prevention strategy to counsel and support Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, who are twice as likely as white Australians to take their own lives.
A 10-year-old indigenous girl who hanged herself this year was among 85 Queensland children and teenagers who have killed themselves in the past five years.
The Queensland commission found that 63 per cent of children who committed suicide had "significant behavioural problems and disciplinary problems".
"This included ongoing truancy, physical and verbal abuse of others, suspension or exclusion from school [and] contact with police and/or youth justice," it says in a submission to the Senate inquiry into suicide. "These findings challenge the popular belief that most students who suicide are predominantly introverted, withdrawn and often bullied. Sixty per cent . . . had previously stated or implied their intention to suicide."
“WE still BLAME the VICTIMS”
“Feeling Bullied and Helpless can be EXTERNALISED with FRUSTRATION & ANGER
Feeling Bullied and Hopeless can be INTERNALISED with SHAME & SUICIDE
6
Australian
Cyberbullying - Court Cases
with
Charges
of
―Using a Carriage Service to Menace, Harass or Cause Offence‖
Examples
7
Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases
Example # 01.0
New internet law to be tested by Skype sex claims
Lauren Wilson From: The Australian April 30, 2011 12:00AM http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/new-internet-law-to-be-tested-by-skype-sex- claims/story-e6frg6nf-1226047248774
Australian Defence Force Academy cadets Daniel McDonald and Dylan De-Blaquiere were released on bail from the Magistrates Court in Canberra. Picture: Gary Ramage
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/features/adfa/two-cadets-charged-over-adfa-sex- scandal/story-fn8eum6d-1226046930120#ixzz1Kys0PsD3
DEFENCE cadet Daniel McDonald made gestures "for the boys" as he had sex with a female cadet while broadcasting the encounter via webcam to six men in another room, court documents allege.
Mr McDonald, 19, and fellow Australian Defence Force Academy Cadet Dylan De Blaquiere were today charged over the so-called Skype sex scandal in the ACT Magistrates' Court.
Police documents tendered to the court state Mr McDonald asked a female cadet if they could become "friends with benefits'' - a euphemism for having a casual sexual relationship. The woman agreed on the basis that the arrangement would be secret.
8
Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 01.0 (cont)
On the same day, police allege Mr Blaquiere suggested to Mr McDonald that he connect to his computer via Skype to broadcast their upcoming sexual tryst.
Mr De Blaquiere and five other cadets - named as Corey Parker, Damian Mahon, Zach Fitzgerald, Jackson Fysh and David Pace - allegedly watched the couple have sex from Mr De Blaquiere's room.
Mr McDonald has been charged with using a carriage service to cause offence, and an act of indecency.
Mr De Blaquiere is charged with using a carriage service to cause offence.
Police allege Mr McDonald sent a message via Facebook to another man before the March 29 sex act telling him what he intended to do.
"Ok well I'm about to root a girl and have a webcam set up to the boys in another room,'' police allege, on the basis of information provided by a computer forensics team.
Mr McDonald allegedly answered "nope" when asked if the woman knew she was going to be broadcast via webcam.
But in his in an April 11 interview with a defence legal officer, Mr McDonald said he had told the woman she would be filmed while having sex, to which she replied "cool", or "good".
The police statement alleges the sexual encounter lasted about 15 minutes, during which time Mr McDonald "controlled the positions they were in".
"The defendant later disclosed to Mr Friend that he was making gestures towards the webcam 'for the boys'," police allege.
The Skype call lasted 22 minutes, after which Mr McDonald went into Mr De Blaquiere's room.
"Although he expected some people to be in there, he did not expect them all to be in there and was unhappy about the crowd," the police document alleges.
Police seized several mobile phones, a Motorola laptop computer, a Samsung Galaxy tablet, and a Hewlett Packard laptop.
The accused were bailed to reappear in court on May 20.
They have been barred from approaching the complainant in the case, or having any contact with her.
9
Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 01.0 (cont)
The pair were also ordered not to discuss the case with each other or the other men allegedly involved, while none are allowed to have any contact outside of their ADFA classes.
ACT chief magistrate John Burns closed the court for about five minutes after an appeal by barrister Bryan Cook, representing the accused.
Mr Cook argued the media should be ejected from the court due to "matters of national security''.
There was vigorous argument on bail conditions with magistrate Burns intervening at one point to ask Mr Cook: "Are you appearing on behalf of the ADF or your client?"
Mr Burns said the men faced "serious charges".
The name of the complainant was suppressed.
The solidly built Mr McDonald and the slighter Mr De-Blaquiere were led from the court complex via a side entrance to avoid a large media pack.
They were driven away in a black Land Rover Discovery hunched down in their seats.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith announced six separate inquiries this month in the wake of the scandal.
Then woman's allegations sparked a wave of claims of sexual misconduct and cover-up within the defence community.
The scandal resulted in Australian Defence Force Academy commandant Bruce Kafer, who was criticised over his handling of the incident, being ordered to take indefinite leave.
In the wake of the scandal, Sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick has been tasked with examining the treatment of women in the ADF.
Other reviews will examine the broader ADF culture and the use of alcohol and social media by defence personnel.
The scandal also prompted a fast-tracking of all ADF jobs being opened up to women, on merit, including frontline combat roles.
Using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence is a relatively new cyber stalking offence under the federal criminal code, punishable by a maximum three years jail.
A person found guilty of committing an act of indecency against an adult can face up to 18 months jail.
10
Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 01.1
AFP scrutinises law after cadet sex claims
Updated Mon Apr 18, 2011 12:18pm AEST
The Director of Public Prosecutions is investigating the allegations. (Australian Defence Force)
The Federal Police and the Federal Government have hinted laws about transmitting pictures over the internet might need strengthening, following allegations a female Defence Force Academy cadet was secretly webcasted having sex.
The Director of Public Prosecutions is investigating allegations the cadet known as Kate was secretly filmed having consensual sex with a male cadet and that it was broadcast to other cadets without her knowledge.
Federal Police Commissioner Tony Negus says he is still waiting to find out if the alleged act breached any laws.
"It's very difficult for me to sit here and examine each particular hypothetical scenario of what would or would not fall into the context of an offence," he said.
"That is what is being considered at the moment. It's being done very quickly and very thoroughly and we don't want to prejudice that by speculating about what is or what isn't falling within that.
"If there are gaps that appear in any of this, we will be talking to the Government about how we might close those gaps."
Commissioner Negus says whether or not an offence was committed under ACT legislation depends on a "range of circumstances".
"It depends on whether it is transmitted across a telecommunications device for instance, what the circumstances are around there," he said.
11
Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 01.1(cont)
Commissioner Negus also defended his organisation's initial advice that no offence had been committed by the male cadets.
"The original advice that was provided was on a very bare sort of set of circumstances," he said.
"That advice that was provided to Defence did not really fully comprehend the magnitude of what we now know to be the case."
Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor says he supports the inquiries into laws about webcasting without consent.
"I'm certainly happy to look at whether there are any deficiencies at all with any laws which relate to offences against individuals," he said.
But Mr O'Connor says there are some laws in place that may cover the alleged incident.
"There is a Privacy Act and also a criminal code which would go to matters about providing information without consent or transmitting information without consent," he said.
'Careful consideration'
Defence Minister Stephen Smith says he will not be rushed into making decisions about whether there are systemic problems in the Defence Force.
On the same day the sex allegations surfaced, Kate was fined and confined to the base over separate incidents involving absenteeism and the consumption of alcohol.
Mr Smith says that was a serious error of judgment, but he will not say if he has lost faith in the head of the Defence Force Academy, Commodore Bruce Kafer.
"I'm not proposing in any of these matters to rush to judgment or to take steps that are not sensible, orderly and given very careful and methodical consideration," he said.
Defence Chief Angus Houston says the ADF acted swiftly to begin the investigation, saying it "took the investigation very seriously from the start".
"We called in the AFP the day after this was first notified and that was on April 1," he said.
"We have been working very closely with them on the investigation since."
But Air Chief Marshal Houston will not say if heads will roll.
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Example # 01.1(cont)
"I'm not going to go there. We always deal with matters in the Defence Force, matters of justice, we always deal with them in a matter of due process," he said.
"Natural justice is very important to us."
He says he found the circumstances of the alleged incident "absolutely abhorrent" but would not comment further, saying he did not want to prejudice the AFP investigation.
He says all the cadets involved will enjoy the "best support" possible, "most particularly to the young lady who is obviously under a great deal of stress".
Editor's note: (April 18) This article originally reported that Bruce Kafer was a Commander instead of his correct rank of Commodore.
Tags: defence-and-national-security, defence-forces, federal-government, information-and- communication, internet, law-crime-and-justice, sexual-offences, australia, act, canberra- 2600
First posted Thu Apr 7, 2011 2:04pm AEST
MORE stories from the ACT
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Example # 02.0
Texting lands couple in court Tara Miko | 29th April 2011 Central Queensland News http://www.cqnews.com.au/story/2011/04/29/foul-mouthed-texting-lands-couple-in-court/
SENDING foul-mouthed, inflammatory and derogatory text messages can lead to hefty fines and a stern warning from a magistrate.
Just ask Ronald William Albert and Julie Meikle, who both pleaded guilty to one count each of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence in Emerald Magistrate‟s Court on Wednesday.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Robyn Schapcott told the court of a friendship break-up in November last year between Mr Albert and Ms Meikle and another man.
Following the friendship break-up, Mr Albert and Ms Meikle both moved to Capella and began to ring and send harassing messages to the other man.
On March 15, the victim messaged Ms Meikle and said he didn’t want any more messages or phone calls from the two, who by that stage had entered into a relationship.
The messages continued until the victim contacted Capella police who then issued Mr Albert and Ms Meikle with a warning, and informed them sending harassing messages and phone calls was an offence.
The warning seemed to have worked until April 1 when, in the early morning, Mr Albert and Ms Meikle made a number of profane phone calls to the victim, who contacted police again.
On April 9, both Mr Albert and Ms Meikle went to the Capella police station but declined an interview, and instead were issued with a notice to appear in court.
Sgt Schapcott noted the charge before the court was not the most serious offence, but said it was the disregard of the police warning which gave the case severity.
Solicitor Charles Lumsden, appearing for both defendants, said it was an ―unfortunate incident‖ and his clients were remorseful and embarrassed by the events that took place.
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Example # 02.0 (cont)
He said the friendship breakdown which sparked the series of events began when Mr Albert and Ms Meikle disagreed with a lifestyle choice the victim had made, and an equal number of text messages were sent on both parties’ accounts.
―They tell me they deleted the messages because their children have access to that mobile phone and they didn’t want them exposed to those sorts of messages,‖ he said, referring to his clients.
Mgst Cameron Press told Mr Albert, a chef in Capella, and Ms Meikle, a 36-year-old mother of three, the series of events was not the most serious charge before the court but was concerned about the apparent lack of heed taken by the police warning in March.
He fined the pair $300 each with no conviction recorded.
―That is, in part, because you were warned by police but you persisted in sending messages,‖ Mgst Press said.
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Example # 03.0
Facebook troll Bradley Paul Hampson seeks bail, appeal against jail term
By Tony Keim From: The Courier-Mail April 20, 2011 10:13AM http://www.news.com.au/technology/facebook-troll-bradley-paul-hampson-seeks-bail-appeal- against-jail-term/story-e6frfro0-1226042043525
Bradley Paul Hampson is the first person to be charged and convicted of Facebook vandalism. Source: The Courier-Mail Source: The Courier-Mail
THE first Australian convicted of "internet trolling" by plastering child pornography on the Facebook tribute pages of two slain Queensland schoolchildren is seeking bail pending an appeal against his three-year jail term.
Lawyers for Bradley Paul Hampson, 29, this morning told The Courier-Mail an application had been lodged by their client for Supreme Court bail pending an appeal against his sentence.
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Example # 03.0 (cont)
Last month Hampson fronted the the Brisbane District Court for posting offensive messages and photos on Facebook "RIP tribute" pages for a 12-year-old boy stabbed at a Brisbane school and a nine-year-old Bundaberg girl abducted and murdered in February last year.
Hampson, of Tarragindi, on Brisbane's southside, pleaded guilty to two counts of using a carriage service, the internet, to cause offence and one each of distributing and possessing child exploitation material - meaning child pornography - between February 14 and June 4 last year.
Prosecutors said Hampson posted photographs of one victim with a penis drawn near their mouth and highly offensive messages, including "Woot I'm Dead", "Had It Coming" and others too offensive to publish.
The court was told the deaths of both children received extensive media coverage; however, under Queensland law neither child could be identified.
Prosecutor Anthony Gett said Hampson used the pseudonym of "Dale Angerer" to engage in internet "trolling" - which means to post inflammatory, extraneous or off-topic messages in an "online community".
"This in my research is the first (criminal internet) trolling case . . . in Australia,'' Mr Gett said.
"These posts (by Hampson) were designed to offend all of the members (of the tribute sites).
"He was mocking the deaths of these children in a highly sexual manner.''
Barrister Carl Heaton, for Hampson, said his client's actions could be construed as those of ``an appalling human being''.
However, he said Hampson, who was autistic, was retaliating against people who had been offensive toward him and a Facebook site designed to assist autistic people.
Judge Kerry O'Brien, in sentencing Hampson on March 25, said: ``One can only judge your conduct as being depraved.''
Judge O'Brien jailed Hampson for three years, but ordered he be released after serving 12 months.
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/technology/facebook-troll-bradley-paul-hampson-seeks- bail-appeal-against-jail-term/story-e6frfro0-1226042043525#ixzz1Kym9N3gJ
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Example # 03.1
Australian jailed for defacing kids' Facebooks
March 26, 2011 http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/australian-jailed-for-defacing-kids- facebooks-20110326-1cacd.html
An Australian man was jailed for a year on Friday for defacing online tributes to two dead children with child pornography and offensive comments.
Bradley Paul Hampson vandalised the Facebook pages dedicated to two Queensland children who died in February 2010 -- a 12-year-old boy who was stabbed in the schoolyard and an eight-year-old girl found dead in a drain.
More than 9,000 people had joined the Facebook pages, mostly to express shock and offer their condolences, on which Hampson posted digitally altered images of the children and offensive messages, reports said.
Prosecutors said that among Hampson's posts were photographs of the dead girl and the message "Had It Coming".
The Courier Mail said he pleaded guilty on Friday to distributing child exploitation material and possessing child exploitation material, and using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.
Judge Kerry O'Brien sentenced Hampson to three years, but ordered he be released after serving 12 months, the paper said.
Hampson was arrested after police searched his Brisbane home last June, seizing computer equipment containing altered images of the dead children.
Brisbane District Court was told Hampson said he defaced the websites because he had been previously harassed online. © 2011 AFP
Autism?
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Example # 03.2
Australian jailed for defacing kids' Facebooks
AFP March 25, 2011, 4:15 pm http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/world/9078060/australian-jailed-for-defacing-kids- facebooks/
SYDNEY, March 25, 2011 (AFP) - - An Australian man was jailed for a year on Friday for defacing online tributes to two dead children with child pornography and offensive comments.
Bradley Paul Hampson vandalised the Facebook pages dedicated to two Queensland children who died in February 2010 -- a 12-year-old boy who was stabbed in the schoolyard and an eight-year-old girl found dead in a drain.
More than 9,000 people had joined the Facebook pages, mostly to express shock and offer their condolences, on which Hampson posted digitally altered images of the children and offensive messages, reports said.
Prosecutors said that among Hampson's posts were photographs of the dead girl and the message "Had It Coming".
The Courier Mail said he pleaded guilty on Friday to distributing child exploitation material and possessing child exploitation material, and using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.
Judge Kerry O'Brien sentenced Hampson to three years, but ordered he be released after serving 12 months, the paper said.
Hampson was arrested after police searched his Brisbane home last June, seizing computer equipment containing altered images of the dead children.
Brisbane District Court was told Hampson said he defaced the websites because he had been previously harassed online.
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Example # 03.3
Accused Facebook vandal in court 17th September 2010 News Mail http://www.news-mail.com.au/story/2010/09/17/accused-facebook-vandal-to-face-court/
THE man accused of defacing tribute sites of two dead children, including Bundaberg girl Trinity Bates, has allegedly breached his bail undertaking.
Bradley Paul Hampson, 29, of Southport, was charged by Gold Coast police and State Crime Operations Command's Taskforce Argos with three counts of breach of bail yesterday afternoon.
The NewsMail understands Hampson accessed online dating websites, even though he was banned from using the internet as a strict condition of his bail.
It is alleged that Hampson accessed websites including swingers site hotpie.com.au and dating site adultmatchmaker.com.
He is facing charges of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence and possessing child exploitation material.
Police allege Hampson defaced memorial pages devoted to eight-year-old Bundaberg girl Trinity and 12-year-old slain Brisbane student Elliott Fletcher.
The pages were flooded with graphic images of bestiality, child pornography and violence.
He is expected to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court today.
Hampson, the first man ever to be charged with Facebook vandalism in Queensland, has denied any contribution to the online attacks.
He is due to face court on the original charges next month at Brisbane Magistrates Court.
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Example # 03.4
Australian Sentenced to Year in Jail for Defacing Children Facebook Page Tributes
28/03/2011 http://www.tmcnet.com/news/2011/03/28/5406109.htm
By Ed Silverstein TMCnet Contributor
A self-confessed "troll" has been sentenced to spend a year in an Australian jail after he was found to have crudely defaced tributes to two dead children, according to media reports. The AFP reports that Bradley Paul Hampson, 29, defaced the pages with inappropriate child images and offensive comments.
The Queensland, Australia, children died in February 2010. Hampson placed "digitally altered images of the children" on the sites, AFP said and posted in appropriate comments about the children's horrific deaths.
Australia's Courier Mail newspaper said Hampson pleaded guilty to distributing child exploitation material and possessing child exploitation material, and using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offense - each a charge in Australia's justice system. Hampson said he defaced the websites because he had been "harassed online," AFP reports.
Rather than using his own name when he wrote the explicit and graphic comments, Hampson used the name of a Bundaberg, Australia, man who he had gone to school with, according to the Brisbane Times. The other man was distressed that his name had been used in the incidents, the newspaper added.
Because Hampson has been in jail for the past seven months, he is expected to be released in September, according to AllFacebook.com.
All Facebook (News - Alert) explains that trolling is "the intentional act of posting material online to offend, harass, or threaten others."
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Example # 03.4 (cont)
In other Facebook-related news, TMCnet reports a 34-year old Michigan man was arrested earlier this month on polygamy charges and he was caught thanks to his wedding photos, which he posted on his Facebook profile. Richard Barton Jr., of Grand Rapids showcased pictures of his recent happy nuptials but simply forgot one important detail: his first wife to whom he was still legally married had access to the photos, TMCnet added.
Also, TMCnet reported that when investigating a crime, Facebook and Twitter are often the first places the cops look, according to The New York Times.
For example, when 18-year-old Kayla Henriques stabbed 22-year-old Kamisha Richards in the chest over $20, NYC police just had to turn on their computers to find a motive. There in a message string on Facebook, they found all the evidence they needed, TMCnet said.
Ed Silverstein is a TMCnet contributor. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.
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Example # 04.0
Elias arrested for breaching betting bail
By Nathan Ryan
23 March 2011 05:10PM EST http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2011/03/23/elias-arrested-for-breaching- betting-bail/
Elias appeared in Bankstown Local Court charged with breaching his bail conditions. (ABC)
FORMER NRL star John Elias is believed to be in jail after breaching his bail over charges surrounding the NRL betting scandal.
Former player John Elias has plead not guilty in court over a betting scandal
NSW police revealed a 48-year-old man has been met with additional charges against him on Wednesday following police enquiries into the alleged betting activity of round 24’s North Queensland and Canterbury Bulldogs match in Townsville.
That man is understood to be Elias.
Casino and Racing Investigation Unit detectives arrested the man just after 2pm and took him to Bankstown Police Station where he was charged with breaching his bail, relating to contact made with a witness in the investigation.
He was refused bail, and will appear at Bankstown Local Court tomorrow.
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Example # 04.0 (cont)
In a release from NSW police today, police also revealed he had been charged with two counts of "use carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.”
―The man was previously arrested by police on March 3 this year and charged with attempt to obtain financial advantage by deception.
"He was granted conditional bail to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on April 7, 2011.‖
The former Newtown, Wests, Canterbury, Easts, Balmain and Souths forward was arrested following raids on his and player agent Sam Ayoub’s homes on Thursday the of March 3.
The pair were charged with attempting to defraud betting agencies, an offence which carry maximum sentences of 10 years jail.
Elias is no stranger to prison having served time for drugs and fire-arms offences. During the 1980s and '90s, he worked as a stand-over man for the notorious crime boss Danny Karam who was gunned down in 1998.
The arrest today follows ongoing investigations by Strike Force Suburb detective’s who were established in 2010 to investigate alleged illegal betting activity surrounding the Round 24 NRL match between the Bulldogs and the Cowboys.
The incident involved a plunge on a betting option that the first points of the game would come from a penalty goal.
Bulldogs player Ryan Tandy was penalised two minutes into the game for impeding Cowboys playmaker Grant Rovelli in front of the posts.
The Cowboys were awarded a penalty, but did not opt for a kick at goal and instead scored a try from a quick tap.
Police say their investigation is still continuing.
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Example # 05.0
Man sent suggestive texts to two minors
ROANNE JOHNSON | February 24th, 2011 http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2011/02/24/209981_news.html
A TOWNSVILLE fast-food store manager has appeared in court for having inappropriate dealings via text message with two 15-year-old girls, one a former employee and the other a job applicant.
The 24-year-old man pleaded guilty yesterday in the Townsville Magistrates Court to one charge of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.
Commonwealth prosecutor Aimee Aisthorpe said that between December 2009 and January 2010 the defendant who cannot be named in case it identifies the complainant sent 22 text messages and made numerous phone calls to an underage girl who had worked at the store.
On January 5, he sent 14 messages to the teenager and she sent 12 back, but a majority of those messages could not be recovered from their mobile devices.
However, at least two messages were revealed the first at 10pm saying "Hey want to get drunk? I will buy drinks" followed by another message at 12.45am saying "Hey I'll give (your friend) $150 for a BJ."
The teenager passed that text on to the girl referred to in the message, who was also underage and had just applied for a casual position with the same outlet.
That girl showed her father who complained to store management and the Townsville child protection investigation unit then interviewed the two teenagers and the accused.
Ms Aisthorpe said the girls interpreted the message as a request for a sexual favour in exchange for money and the defendant admitted to police that was the case but said it was intended to be a joke.
The prosecutor said the sexual connotation of the message, the young age of the two girls and the position of authority the man held made the offence more serious.
Defence lawyer Peter Bevan said his client, who was no longer employed by the company, had become friendly with the two teens and they all had regularly exchanged text messages.
"The message was a joke not intended to be passed on but it was," Mr Bevan said. "In hindsight (my client) understands the transmission of this message to a minor might be offensive."
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 05.0 (cont)
Magistrate Peter Smid said the offending was probably not intentional and the defendant's judgment could have been clouded because he may have fancied the two girls.
"Anyone can understand banter between the opposite sexes ... you took it too far and probably didn't mean to be offensive but you were," Mr Smid said.
No conviction was recorded and the accused was put on a 12-month good behaviour bond.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 05.1
Man sent suggestive texts to two minors
ROANNE JOHNSON | February 24th, 2011 Townesville Bulletin http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2011/02/24/209981_news.html A TOWNSVILLE fast-food store manager has appeared in court for having inappropriate dealings via text message with two 15-year-old girls, one a former employee and the other a job applicant. The 24-year-old man pleaded guilty yesterday in the Townsville Magistrates Court to one charge of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence. Commonwealth prosecutor Aimee Aisthorpe said that between December 2009 and January 2010 the defendant who cannot be named in case it identifies the complainant sent 22 text messages and made numerous phone calls to an underage girl who had worked at the store. On January 5, he sent 14 messages to the teenager and she sent 12 back, but a majority of those messages could not be recovered from their mobile devices. However, at least two messages were revealed the first at 10pm saying "Hey want to get drunk? I will buy drinks" followed by another message at 12.45am saying "Hey I'll give (your friend) $150 for a BJ." The teenager passed that text on to the girl referred to in the message, who was also underage and had just applied for a casual position with the same outlet. That girl showed her father who complained to store management and the Townsville child protection investigation unit then interviewed the two teenagers and the accused. Ms Aisthorpe said the girls interpreted the message as a request for a sexual favour in exchange for money and the defendant admitted to police that was the case but said it was intended to be a joke. The prosecutor said the sexual connotation of the message, the young age of the two girls and the position of authority the man held made the offence more serious. Defence lawyer Peter Bevan said his client, who was no longer employed by the company, had become friendly with the two teens and they all had regularly exchanged text messages. "The message was a joke not intended to be passed on but it was," Mr Bevan said. "In hindsight (my client) understands the transmission of this message to a minor might be offensive." Magistrate Peter Smid said the offending was probably not intentional and the defendant's judgment could have been clouded because he may have fancied the two girls. "Anyone can understand banter between the opposite sexes ... you took it too far and probably didn't mean to be offensive but you were," Mr Smid said. No conviction was recorded and the accused was put on a 12-month good behaviour bond.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 06.0
'I'm gonna set the house on fire'
Amelia Bentley February 21, 2011 http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/im-gonna-set-the-house-on-fire-20110221- 1b238.html
A man accused of torching a Caxton Street home yesterday had been stalking one of the occupants, police allege.
Peter James Hopwood, 23, appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court this morning charged with arson, unlawful stalking and using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Peter Treloar said Mr Hopwood had been threatening his ex- partner, one of the home's occupants, for some time.
He said Mr Hopwood would not accept the woman's wish to end their relationship and sent her messages telling her, "I hate you. I'm going to kill you."
Before the fire Mr Hopwood allegedly left a voice message saying, "I'm gonna set the house on fire, I hope you're in it, you're gone".
After lighting a fire at the house, which is next to Mirasoul Bar Dining Lounge in Paddington, he made no effort to raise the alarm, Sgt Treloar told the court.
Mr Hopwood was denied bail to reappear in court on March 14.
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Example # 07.0
'Despicable' stalker avoids jail
Amelia Bentley January 10, 2011
HTTP://WWW.BRISBANETIMES.COM.AU/QUEENSLAND/DESPICABLE-STALKER- AVOIDS-JAIL-20110110-19KWJ.HTML
A Brisbane man has avoided jail for harassing women with sexually explicit emails, obscene phone calls and offensive text messages after he was unable to deal with their rejection of him.
Convicted stalker Jason Ronald Vaughan, 35, sobbed in Brisbane District Court today as he begged Judge Anthony Rafter not to send him to prison.
Vaughan, who holds a science degree and works in pathology, was released on a two-year good behaviour bond after the court heard he had bombarded three love interests with unwanted correspondence between March 2005 and May 2008 after each of them discontinued relationships with him.
One former girlfriend reported he would leaving messages threatening: "I'm going to get you" and "I have ways of getting back at you" and calling her a "fat bitch" and "slut".
He also emailed her, saying: "what the f*** was I ever doing with a walrus like you?" and "I still have plans for you unless you repent and confess your sins to me".
Another woman, who met Vaughan at a club on Caxton Street in mid 2007, told police he had sent her 15 texts in three hours.
The messages were sexually explicit and included insults and threats such as: "those kids of yours look demented" and "you vile piece of filth. You will pay for what you have done".
A third woman, who met Vaughan on a bus in February 2007 and went on several dates with him, said he spent the next 14 months leaving sexually explicit messages or making breathing and sobbing noises on her answering machine.
In other messages, he called the woman names and screamed obscenities and at one point told her she should "just f***ing die".
Vaughan, who was convicted of stalking a Brisbane artist last year, pleaded guilty to four counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.
Prosecutor Stuart Shearer said Vaughan could not handle being rejected.
"It appears to be the case he has an inability to deal with rejection by women," he said.
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Example # 07.0 (cont)
"It's a course of conduct that is almost routine to him."
Defence barrister Aaron Simpson said his client had post traumatic stress disorder following a home invasion at his home in 2007.
Vaughan also suffered from depression and anxiety but he was getting help, Mr Simpson said.
"He has refrained from getting into a relationship," he said.
Judge Rafter said Vaughan was "a despicable individual" who had caused great distress to his victims.
He sentenced him to 12 months jail but released him on a good behaviour bond.
Convictions were recorded.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 08.0
Envoy's ex-lover facing charges
Natalie O'Brien
January 2, 2011 http://www.smh.com.au/national/exlover-menaced-diplomat-20110101- 19cin.html#ixzz1KyuRkheg
Happier times ... Macedonian ambassador Pero Stojanovski with former girlfriend Lidija Dumbaloska
THE former girlfriend of the Macedonian ambassador to Australia, Pero Stojanovski, has been arrested and was last night expected to be charged with allegedly menacing him, breaking into his home and attempting to blackmail him.
Lidija Dumbaloska appeared yesterday in the Parramatta Local Court where details were aired of how her more than year-long relationship with the ambassador had soured so badly that it ended in allegations of blackmail, burglary and an affair.
Ms Dumbaloska was arrested on New Year's Eve after Australian Federal Police searched her Bankstown home and seized items including a laptop.
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Example # 08.0 (cont)
Federal police told the court that Ms Dumbaloska was expected to be charged with serious offences including blackmail, burglary and using a ''carriage service'' to menace or harass the ambassador.
But her lawyer, Kylie Anderson, told the court that the matter had nothing to do with the ambassador's official position. ''It was a domestic relationship that has gone sour and has escalated,'' she said.
The court was told that trouble for the couple started on Christmas Eve when their relationship broke down.
Police have alleged that 37-year-old Ms Dumbaloska, an electrical engineer, broke into the Canberra home of the ambassador last Monday and took items including a laptop, a briefcase and hotel receipts. Ms Anderson said Ms Dumbaloska took the items because she believed Mr Stojanovski had been having an affair.
Police said they would also allege that Ms Dumbaloska had made threats to the ambassador ''seeking his resignation''.
Ms Dumbaloska was remanded to appear in court in Canberra tomorrow.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/envoys-exlover-facing-charges- 20110101-19clu.html#ixzz1Kx7oAd2b
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Example # 09.0
Bond for abusive texts to friend 11th December 2010 Queensland Times http://www.qt.com.au/story/2010/12/11/bond-for-abusive-texts-to-friend-danziel-mcnamara/
A WOMAN sent abusive text messages to her best friend because she thought the woman had an affair with her husband, a court heard.
Ipswich Magistrates Court heard Danziel Marcia McNamara, 47, sent 15 text messages between October 9 and 22 with various derogatory comments, including calling her friend a ―fat loser‖.
The woman eventually went to the Springfield police station to complain about the messages, saying she found them ―offensive and hurtful‖.
Prosecutor Constable Tazania Lynch said McNamara, a cleaner, told police she sent the messages because ―she believed the complainant was having an affair with her husband‖.
McNamara pleaded guilty to using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.
She was given a $500 good behaviour bond for 12 months, with no conviction recorded.
Defence lawyer Allyson Gagliardi said her client's marriage of 20 years had broken down and she had started seeing a doctor for stress around the time she sent the messages.
Ms Gagliardi said McNamara, who had no prior history, became aware of an affair prior to the separation and was experiencing intense feelings of betrayal and hurt.
―She has now accepted that she had no lawful excuse to send these text messages,‖ Ms Gagliardi said.
―She understands that what she did was really quite bad and she expresses significant remorse.‖
Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin told McNamara her behaviour was illegal and ―nasty stuff‖ but was not terribly serious compared to others charged under the offence
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 10.0
Fined for „harassment‟
03/Nov/2010
By Vanessa Schmitt, Mandurah Coastal Times http://forums.whyweprotest.net/threads/a-man-accused-of-calling-the-church-of-scientology- thousands-of-times.61786/page-2
John Allen with a restraining order summons from the Church of Scientology. Picture: Jon Hewson www.communitypix.com.au Buy this photo
A MANDURAH man was fined heavily for persistently calling the Church of Scientology and Peel police district office when he appeared in Mandurah Magistrates Court last month.
John Desmond Allen (31) was found guilty of two counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass and cause offence after two trials on October 18 and 25.
The October 18 trial related to 79 phone calls from Allen to the Peel police district office from June 29 to August 9. He was fined $1500 and police awarded a misconduct restraining order against Allen.
At the October 25 trial, witnesses from the Church of Scientology described how Allen made about 500 calls over a two-week period.
A church human resources volunteer said Allen told him he did not agree with the church and wanted to take it down. He said Allen called at least 70 times in one day and was verbally abusive.
The church volunteer said he would hang up on the calls because Allen was creating a nuisance.
―He would block our lines up so people could not call,‖ he said.
―His intentions were to harm the church.
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Example # 10.0 (cont)
―Originally it did not worry me, but I started to feel physically ill with the harassment.‖
The volunteer said Allen had free calls from his landline through his server.
Magistrate Terence McIntyre said Allen conceded he made the calls, but had limited recollection of some of the calls.
The court was told Allen made all the calls because he wanted someone to talk to him.
Allen was fined $750 with $327 costs. Mr McIntyre warned Allen not to call the Church of Scientology again, but Allen said he would appeal.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 11.0
A WESTERN Sydney man has been charged with child grooming and harassment offences
27.08.2010 http://www.crimecasefiles.com/forum/australian-crime-news/20349-sex-sms-sent-to-girl-12- western-sydney.html
A WESTERN Sydney man has been charged with child grooming and harassment offences after allegedly sending sexually explicit text messages to girls and a young man.
Police allege the man sent several explicit text and multimedia messages by mobile phone to a 12-year-old girl, a 13-year-old girl, an 18-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man.
Officers investigating the incidents posed as a 13-year-old girl and communicated with the man by mobile phone and internet.
Police arrested a 25-year-old man at Londonderry just after 1pm (AEST) yesterday.
He has been charged with using a carriage service to transmit indecent communication to persons under 16 years of age, using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, and failing to comply with reporting obligations of the Child Protection Register.
The man has been refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 12.0
Girl grooming accused already on bail
By Edith Bevan From: The Daily Telegraph August 13, 2010 1:51PM http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/girl-grooming-accused-already-on- bail/story-e6freuzi-1225904924732
A MAN arrested for allegedly grooming little girls online for sex was already on bail for the sexual assault of a six-year-old.
Dale McAlpine, 30, of Lethbridge Park, was on his way to meet up with who he thought was a 13-year-old girl in Parramatta Park when he was arrested.
The "13-year-old" was actually a police officer from the Sex Crimes Squad.
Officers, pretending to be an underaged girl, had begun an online friendship with the man after the parents of an 11-year-old girl contacted police about allegedly explicit and menacing emails the man was sending her.
McAlpine faced Parramatta Local Court this morning charged with using a carriage service (internet/mobile phone) to procure a person under 16.
He was also charged with using a carriage service to menace/harass or cause offence.
McAlpine plead not guilty to both charges.
The court heard McAlpine, who has a three-year-old son, was on bail over an aggravated sexual assault of a six-year-old when he allegedly groomed the girls.
McAlpine's application for bail was rejected on the grounds because of his ongoing threat to the safety of the community.
He was remanded in custody to appear again next Thursday.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 13.0
Textual offender lands probation
Jeremy Sollars | 13th August 2010 http://www.warwickdailynews.com.au/story/2010/08/13/textual-offender-lands-probation- court-criminal/
THE Abuse via text message landed one Warwick man in the Magistrates Court this week next time you‟re tempted to send a nasty message to someone via a mobile phone text instead of fronting them face-to-face, you‟d be well advised to think again.
One young Warwick texter is wishing he had done just that after copping six months probation and a criminal record for sending abusive texts messages to his ex-girlfriend and her new lover.
Many people may not realise it, but harassing someone via text can land you up to three years jail under Commonwealth law.
It‟s a law that 20-year-old Brodie Owen Koina received a crash course in when he fronted the Warwick Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to using a carriage service – namely a mobile phone – to “menace, harass or cause offence”.
The court heard Koina last month vented his anger over splitting up with his live-in girlfriend – who left him with a swag of unpaid rent – by sending a series of expletive-laden text messages aimed at her and her new beau.
The newly-single and embittered Koina sent more than a dozen messages to his former partner over several weeks until she became so fed up she went to the police.
After lodging a formal complaint against Koina he was interviewed by police who charged him under federal telecommunications law.
The court was told Koina had made repeated threats to ―f--- up‖ his ex-lover’s life and that of her new partner and sent the spiteful messages at all hours of the day and night.
One of his texting tirades related to rent she owed on their former residence after she moved out, with Koina blaming her for ―getting blacklisted‖ and demanding she pay the rental arrears.
Koina claimed some of the messages were sent by a ―friend called Nick‖ he met ―at the pub one night‖ and who was drunk at the time.
But during the police interview Koina was unable to provide further details of the identity of ―Nick‖ and how he knew the name of Koina’s ex-partner’s new boyfriend.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 13.0 (cont)
The court heard other hate-filled exchanges took place on the social networking website Facebook.
Barrister Phil Crook, for Koina, told the court his client had lost his job since his relationship break-up and was angry over the rent money.
―As far as the references to the new boyfriend are concerned, it was a lot of huffing and puffing between two guys,‖ Mr Crook said.
―At least there was no actual violence involved.‖
Magistrate Anne Thacker told Koina – who stood grinning during his court appearance with his arms folded – his behaviour was more to be expected of a 16 year old.
―I am forced to ask why you haven’t grown up like everybody else,‖ Her Honour said.
―I suggest you need some relationship counselling.‖
Koina stated that he had already undergone such sessions ―when I was with her (the ex- girlfriend)‖.
Ms Thacker placed Koina on six months probation with a special condition relating to the counselling.
The law...
Telecommunications and Other Offences Act was passed in 2004
Offences relating to mobile phones, include making hoax threats and hoax triple zero calls, making threats of violence and sending offensive images
Maximum penalty is three years in prison, automatic criminal record
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 14.0
Man charged for alleged child grooming offence on Bondi Junction bus
26 Aug 10 @ 01:36pm http://wentworth-courier.whereilive.com.au/news/story/man-charged-for-alleged-child- grooming-offence-on-bondi-junction-bus/
Detectives from the Sex Crimes Squad have charged a man following alleged child grooming offences that began on a bus in Bondi Junction.
Officers allege the 33-year-old man boarded a bus at Bondi Junction on August 11 and sat beside a 14-year-old boy. It is alleged he engaged in conversation with the boy and touched him on the leg before obtaining the boy’s mobile phone number.
Police launched an investigation into the incident, posing as a 14-year-old boy and communicated with the man via mobile phone.
About 12.30pm on Wednesday, August 25, police arrested the man at a home on Fairmount Street, Lakemba, and he was taken to Campsie Police Station.
A search warrant was also executed by police at the home in Lakemba, where a number of items were located and seized including mobile phones and clothing.
He was charged with using a carriage service to procure person under 16years of age, using a carriage service to transmit indecent communication to person under 16 years, and using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.
He was refused bail and was to appear at Burwood Local Court today, Thursday August 26.
Strike Force CEIU, which arrested the man, involves detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Exploitation Internet Unit and was established to investigate the alleged online sexual exploitation of children.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 15.0
Race-hate words found not illegal
Leah Fineran | August 10th, 2010 http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2010/08/10/246085_crime-and-court-news.html
Denis Mulheron cleared of sending a racist fax
A SOUTHPORT magistrate has found the terms 'sandnigger' and 'nigger' are not offensive to a reasonable person.
Magistrate Michael O'Driscoll made the ruling yesterday when he dismissed a case against a Gold Coast retiree charged with sending an offensive facsimile to a local politician.
A staff member working for Broadwater MP Peta-Kaye Croft complained to police after receiving the document from 62-year-old Denis Mulheron of Labrador on June 30 last year.
Christie Turner, 28, told Southport Magistrates Court she was deeply offended when she read the one-page fax which called on the Labor Party to tighten immigration laws against 'niggers' and 'sandnigger terrorists' and Muslim women with circumcised genitals.
The fax also made reference to indigenous Australians as 'Abos'.
Mr Mulheron told the court he believed he was using 'everyday English' in the fax.
He said he had grown up with the slang terms for Arabs and black Africans and did not believe they were offensive.
"I'm not a member of the cafe, chardonnay and socialist set ... to me that is everyday language," he said.
He argued in court the slang terms were no different to calling a New Zealander a 'Kiwi' or an American a 'Yank'.
Barrister Chris Rosser said his client had been raised in a different time when the words were not as frowned upon.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 15.0 (cont)
Ms Turner said to her, as a young woman, Mr Mulheron's words were both offensive and disturbing.
"There are appropriate ways to express opinions about immigration policies and this was not one of them," she said.
Mr Mulheron was charged with using a carriage service, namely a fax machine, to menace, harass or offend -- a offence which carries a maximum penalty of three years jail.
After lengthy consideration, Mr O'Driscoll ruled that Mr Mulheron's words were not enough to invoke criminal sanctions.
"The words used were crude, unattractive and direct but were not offensive to a reasonable person," he said.
But he made it clear the court in no way condoned Mr Mulheron's comments.
He invited Mr Mulheron to seek legal advice before using the terms in a public forum again. faxed remarks.
The court was told that over the years Mr Mulheron had sent repeated faxes to Ms Croft's office complaining about the Labor Party, immigration and land taxes.
He pleaded guilty in 2006 to sending a personally abusive fax to Ms Croft.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 16.0
Murray Colin Stubbs guilty only of using the internet offensively
Grooming, internet offences, Murray Colin Stubbs By johnboy 5 August, 2010 http://www.google.com.au/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=0h&oq=&hl=en-GB&ie=UTF- 8&rlz=1T4GGIC_en- GBAU224AU225&q=adf+recruits+charged+use+a+carriage+service+to+menace+harass+off ence#q=charged+use+a+carriage+service+to+menace+harass+offence&hl=en&rlz=1T4GGI C_en- GBAU224AU225&prmd=ivns&ei=i0G7TeXXDYHIvQOl5NC1BQ&start=10&sa=N&fp=472eb4 33bd616278
The NZ Herald is taking an interest in the welfare of fake 14 year old Kiwi ―Roxanne‖ and her smutty interlocutor Canberra’s Murray Colin Stubbs (45, former teacher).
In the end the jury was unable to reach a verdict on the charge of using the internet to procure sex. But he has been found guilty of using the internet in an offensive way, one suspects he is not alone in this.
Spare a thought for New Zealand’s police Detective Sergeant Steve Waugh who spent five months pretending to be a dirty talking 14 year old girl with a sad and lonely 45 year old man.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 17.0
Suspended sentence for 'troll'
Lee Gailer | 3rd August 2010 http://www.gympietimes.com.au/story/2010/08/03/jail-for-troll-facebook-justine-jones/
FACEBOOK ―Troll‖ Jessica Chantelle Cook left Gympie Magistrates Court yesterday with a suspended jail sentence, probation and a bond to be of good behaviour.
FACEBOOK ―troll‖ Jessica Chantelle Cook has been given a suspended jail sentence for posting offensive material on a tribute page for murdered Sunshine Coast woman, Justine Jones.
Cook, 22, pleaded guilty in Gympie Magistrates Court for helping create a Justine Jones hate page and posting offensive remarks and photographs under the fake name of Wendy Woods.
The content of the fake page included images of pornography and human remains as well as comments from Cook boasting about her ―achievement‖ at having the page mentioned in the media. Cook described herself as a ―troll‖ - a person who defaces internet tribute sites to cause grief.
Magistrate Maxine Baldwin handed down a penalty to reflect the hurt Cook had caused to Ms Jones’ family and the anger and outrage felt by the community.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 17.0 (cont)
―No other sentence can reflect the severity of the crime… What you did was appalling, abhorrent, incomprehensible and sickening,‖ Mrs Baldwin said..
―I need to send a message to other trolls that if they come before the courts they will be dealt with (severely).‖
Cook was sentenced to three months in jail suspended for three years and probation for two years.
She was also placed on a bond to be of good behaviour for three years with a recognizance of $3000.
In Cook’s defence, lawyer Michael Connolly said his client had been the target of bullying from a young age and had started trolling six months ago because she was ―depressed and lonely‖.
He said Cook suffered from various behavioural conditions and ―trolled‖ the internet to get back at the types of people who bullied and harassed her all her life.
―The internet was a place of solace for a troubled young woman… She created a loud and opinionated persona (and) used the internet to release her frustrations,‖ he said and told the court that Cook linked up with other trolls and felt socially accepted by these nameless, faceless people.
Cook, who has no prior criminal convictions, was charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence on Thursday, July 22, after police tracked her down with the help of a “cyber-sleuth”.
Mrs Baldwin said she intended to ban Cook, of Aparima Court, Gympie, from having any sort of computer, but decided it would only isolate her further.
Cook was banned from accessing social networking sites and will only be allowed to use the internet for employment, financial affairs and study.
Mrs Baldwin also ordered all offensive material to be removed from Cook’s computer before it is returned to her.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 17.1
Facebook troll Jessica Cook pleads guilty to defacing a tribute page to Justine Jones
By Sophie Elsworth From: The Courier-Mail August 03, 2010 2:01AM http://www.news.com.au/technology/facebook-troll-jessica-cook-pleads-guilty-to-defacing-a- tribute-page-to-justine-jones/story-e6frfrnr-1225900174784
Facebook troll Jessica Cook leaves court. Picture: John Wilson Source: The Courier-Mail
A MAGISTRATE has warned online trolls the "heavy hand of the law will come down on you'' if disturbing material is posted on social networking sites.
Jessica Chantelle Cook, 22, pleaded guilty in the Gympie Magistrates Court yesterday to one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence,
The Gympie shop assistant was charged by police in July after she posted hateful comments and crude photographs on a Facebook tribute page set up in the memory of slain Sunshine Coast woman Justine Jones.
Ms Jones, 22, from Alexandra Headland, was murdered last month and her body was found dumped at the Nambour rubbish tip.
Magistrate Maxine Baldwin described Ms Cook's actions as "appalling, incomprehensible and absolutely sickening.''
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 17.1 (cont)
She posted offensive pictures including a headless corpse and a vagina on to Ms Jones's Facebook tribute page.
The court heard Ms Cook created a fake profile and disguised herself by going online under the name Wendy Woods.
Prosecutor Jason Todman told the court Ms Cook was one of the site's administrators and posted "disturbing material" on the memorial page.
He said Ms Cook boasted online that her actions had gained media attention.
Prosecutor Todman told the court Ms Cook wrote: "I got a story in the local paper today, all my hard work has paid off.''
Ms Cook's lawyer, Michael Connolly from Connolly Dore Lawyers, said his client was picked on as a child and suffered mental health problems.
He said she used the internet "as a way of venting her frustrations.''
Mr Connolly would not confirm whether his client knew Ms Jones.
Magistrate Baldwin told the court she could not "even begin to put myself in the shoes of those families'' hurt by Ms Cook's actions.
She described it as a "sick sense of fun''.
Ms Cook fought back tears as she was given a three-month suspended sentence.
If she reoffends she will have to forfeit $3000.
She was released on a three-year good behaviour bond, two years probation and was banned from using social networking sites including Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.
Richard Peter Coburn, 26, from Sippy Downs has been charged with the murder of Ms Jones and remains in custody.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 18.0
Woman fined $650 for abusive texts
Nathan Paull Court | 15th January 2010 http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/story/2010/01/15/angry-text-leads-to-fine/
LAYING blame for the death of her ex-partner in custody resulted in a court appearance for a Gladstone woman yesterday.
Lindsey Ann Mastroieni, 22, pleaded guilty to using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence after she sent six abusive text messages to the girlfriend of alleged murderer Ryan Dwyer.
Jayde Biddulph was allegedly beaten to death by Dwyer at the Capricornia Correctional Centre last month. Biddulph was the father of Mastroieni’s four-year-old-daughter.
The court heard Mastroieni sent the texts from two different phones within 24 hours of hearing news of Biddulph’s death.
Police prosecutor acting Sergeant Sean Franklin said the contents of the messages included phrases such as ―this is all your fault‖ and numerous profanities.
He said although the charge was quite serious, given Mastroieni was obviously distressed, under the circumstances a large fine would be appropriate.
Duty lawyer Paul Wonnocot said he was instructed Dwyer believed Biddulph had formed a relationship with his girlfriend while Dwyer was in jail and before Biddulph was imprisoned.
However, Mr Wonnocot said his clients sent the texts because she believed the complainant had introduced Biddulph to drugs, meaning he did not have contact with his daughter as often.
Magistrate Damian Carroll said the offence was committed under ―very tragic circumstances‖.
However, he said the public needed to know the offence was serious.
He gave Mastroieni a $650 fine and recorded a conviction.
Dwyer is due to reappear in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on March 23.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 19.0
Cop charged with stalking neighbour
13:48 AEST Thu Apr 1 2010
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/1034808/cop-charged-with-stalking-neighbour
A police officer has been charged with stalking and making physical threats towards his Sydney neighbour.
The 43-year-old senior constable with the NSW force - who works for a specialist police command - was arrested about 6am (AEDT) on Wednesday in relation to an alleged neighbourhood dispute at Sutherland in Sydney's south.
He has been charged with stalking or intimidation with intent to cause harm and using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, police said on Thursday.
The officer, who is believed to still be on operational duty, has been granted bail and will face Sutherland Local Court on April 7.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 20.0
Threatening email senders arrested
Feb 8, 2006 10:09 AM http://www.itnews.com.au/News/35045,threatening-email-senders-arrested.aspx
NSW Police have charged two Sydney men following their alleged sending of threatening emails late last year.
NSW Police have charged two Sydney men following their alleged sending of threatening emails late last year.
The arrests, made under the strike force Enoggera initiative, relate to the alleged sending of emails to a radio talkback host in the wake of the Cronulla riots and public disorder incidents in December.
One of the men, a 29-year-old Warwick Farm man, was slated to appear at Liverpool Local Court yesterday charged with one count of use of carriage service to make threats and a second offence of use of carriage service to menace, harass and offend.
The other, a 21-year-old man, was arrested at his home in Callala Bay, near Nowra and charged with one offence of use of carriage service to threaten serious harm and a second offence of use of carriage service to menace, harass and offend. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Nowra Local Court on 13 March 2006.
Both men had their personal computers seized by Police for forensic examination.
Strike Force Enoggera is a Police initiative specifically set up to investigate the Cronulla race- based riot
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 21.0
Police track text message senders
By Kelly Burke and Ben Cubby December 23, 2005 SMH.com.au http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/police-track-text-message- senders/2005/12/22/1135032135717.html
POLICE are unraveling the trail of text messages that fuelled racial riots on Sydney beaches, making their first arrest on Wednesday night and saying more will follow.
A Matraville man, 33, was arrested and charged after police traced his mobile phone records. They allege he repeatedly sent out two messages telling people to gather at Cronulla last Sunday, a week after the initial riot.
The man was charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence and of printing and publishing to incite or urge the commission of a crime. He is to appear in Waverley Local Court in February.
A teenager was also arrested yesterday morning for taking part in violence on a train at Cronulla Station on December 11. The 17-year-old Cronulla resident was questioned at Miranda police station then charged with one count each of riot and affray.
More arrests would follow, Detective Superintendent Dennis Bray indicated.
A police spokeswoman, Wendy Valois, said: "If you receive these text messages you need to contact the police. Passing them on can be an offence. People need to be aware that it exposes them to a possible criminal record. People need to be aware of how they use all this technology."
Under federal law, using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence carries a sentence of up to three years' jail.
Under the NSW Crime Prevention Act it is an offence to incite, urge, aid or encourage the commitment of a crime. Given the act was written in 1916, there is no provision for the use of telecommunications equipment in aiding or abetting a criminal act.
However, an amendment to law enforcement legislation rushed through State Parliament last week grants special powers to police to prevent or control public disorder, including the setting up of roadblocks, searching of vehicles and seizure of mobile phones.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 21.0 (cont)
The president of the Australian Council for Civil Liberties, Terry O'Gorman, has described the new law as an invasion of privacy."It is utterly unacceptable that private text messages - which are today's equivalent of yesterday's mail or telegrams - should be able to be read by the police at whim," he said.
A spokesman for the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association, Randal Markey, said that most carriers stored messages no longer than about 24 hours, one of the reasons being privacy.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example # 22.0
Case study:
A 19 year old male in Canberra used Facebook to threaten another man, that man’s brother and the brother’s girlfriend for more than two weeks.
He posted comments on the man’s Wall, like
“You’re a dead dog…don’t forget I know where you live”, and also made threats using Facebook Chat.
The man was charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence (section 474.17 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code 1995) and sentenced to six months imprisonment
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example 23.0
Bullies could face 10 years in jail By Jean Edwards
Updated Tue Apr 5, 2011 1:12pm AEST
Brodie Panlock committed suicide after being bullied by co-workers at a Hawthorn cafe. (www.facebook.com)
The changes were prompted by the 2006 suicide of Melbourne woman Brodie Panlock, who was bullied at work.
Four men were convicted and fined by WorkSafe for relentlessly bullying the cafe worker.
Attorney-General Robert Clark says serious bullying will be treated as stalking if it could cause someone physical or mental harm.
"The amendments that we will introduce to Parliament this week will include into the offence of stalking, actions by offenders such as abusive words or threats or any other conduct calculated to cause harm to victims," he said.
"This will put beyond doubt that serious bullying is a serious crime and will carry a serious jail term."
Ms Panlock, 19, worked at Cafe Vamp on Glenferrie Road in Hawthorn from 2005 until her death the following year, when she jumped off the roof of an apartment building.
In February last year, her former co-workers Nicholas Smallwood, 26, now of Queensland, Rhys MacAlpine, 28, of Kooyong, and Gabriel Toomey, 23, of Abbotsford, all pleaded guilty to failing to look after other people in their workplace.
They were fined between $10,000 and $45,000 each.
The court heard Smallwood and MacAlpine mentally and physically bullied Ms Panlock during work hours and even taunted her about a previous suicide attempt.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example 23.0 (cont)
The cafe's owner, Marc Da Cruz, also pleaded guilty to failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace and was fined $220,000.
Ms Panlock's mother, Rae Panlock, hopes the new laws will help prevent workplace bullying.
"I think it's a long time coming and I'm really pleased that it's now going to go through," she said.
"I think it's going to make a big difference to how people react at work. [It was] never there for Brodie but it is there now."
People seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263).
Tags: bullying, state-parliament, states-and-territories, internet, vic, melbourne-3000
First posted Tue Apr 5, 2011 8:11am AEST
MORE stories from Victoria
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example 23.1
Brodie's death a warning to small business
Jen Vuk
December 24, 2009
BULLYING IN THE WORKPLACE ohshandbook.net.au
How to avoid hefty fines for your employees' bullying actions
SADLY, it was an irony lost on the young woman working behind the counter of the busy cafe on Hawthorn's cosmopolitan Glenferrie Road. Cafe Vamp was its name, but Brodie Rae Constance Panlock was no femme fatale. Described by her family as a determined young woman ''who set goals to achieve'', which included earning enough money in order to travel, the 19-year-old was also searching for "approval and acceptance".
Sad, too, was that few, if any, of the cafe's steady stream of customers noticed a static in the air - the kind left behind in the wake of a hurtful comment - whenever Brodie shared a shift with Rhys MacAlpine, and manager and erstwhile lover Nicholas Smallwood, or her brittle emotional state after an ''almost daily routine of inappropriate pressure at work''.
But saddest of all was that no one was there on the night in September 2006 when a distraught Brodie took herself to the top of a nearby multi-storey car park and jumped off. Three days later, ''the little ray of sunshine'', as Brodie was described by co-worker Meghan Chester, was dead.
During the inquest into the Brodie's death held earlier this month, The Age's Helen Westerman wrote that workplace bullying was ''a small-business problem''. Westerman briefly singled out an industry where ''intolerable behaviour is (often) glossed over, or even celebrated'' a la a well-known, if tarnished, UK celebrity chef.
The one and the same industry that, in Australia, employs the largest number of young and inexperienced workers. And with the numbers of school leavers and students on summer break currently knocking on the doors of restaurants, cafes and bars across the nation, there's one less excuse for complacency with our cafe lattes.
Here's another. A WorkSafe survey undertaken in May found nearly one in five workers reported being bullied, with the incidence of reported bullying rising to 19 per cent from 12 per cent in 2007. And yet a workplace summary, released in 2006, found hospitality employees were less likely than others to know if their organisation had a bullying policy or to have been informed of one. Few knew about reporting procedures for bullying, or sought help from internal or external sources.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example 23.1 (cont)
This was supported by a following survey of 1600 young workers, which found that they were ''less likely to be consulted on safety in the workplace, don't have the confidence to raise issues, may not understand or know their rights and alarmingly don't consider workplace safety as important as road or public safety''.
Alarming is right. The hospitality industry remains frighteningly accident prone, especially for the young. In Victoria alone, those aged 15 to 24 experience the highest proportion of work- related injury, occurring mainly in food retail, such as fish shops and takeaway-food shops, cafes and restaurants.
While many hospitality employers have good, sound systems in place to ensure their young charges' first experience in the workforce is a positive one, many more don't. Of all industries, the hospitality sector consistently generates the most complaints, including underpayment of minimum hourly rates, penalty rates, weekend and public holiday loadings and failure to expediently issue play slips, as Craig Bildstien, a spokesman for the Fair Work Ombudsman, tells me.
Attempting to address this disparity, in February this year WorkSafe launched a national education campaign aimed at young hospitality workers and their employers. Fair Work, too, regularly runs campaigns in schools and universities, as well as dropping leaflets at popular venues.
The message, says Bildstien, is that ''the best defence for a young worker against being taken advantage of is to know their workplace rights''. That's certainly true enough, but is it good enough?
In May last year, coroner Peter White found that Panlock's ''low self-esteem, age and inexperience'' rendered her ''emotionally vulnerable''. With such a trifecta acting against her, being aware of her rights would have been little ammunition against the barrage of an ''unbearable level of humiliation''.
The fallout from this case will be felt not only by a family but by all involved, with the lawyer of Cafe Vamp's owner, Marc Luis da Cruz (who admitted he felt terrible about what happened) indicating his client would leave the hospitality industry after 20 years.
And yet much of what happened to Brodie over the course of her employment at Cafe Vamp from early 2005 to late 2006 must have occurred within earshot of others, too, if not within sight.
We come across it often enough. The ribbing, jibes and mucking around that sometimes masquerade as camaraderie. There can be a very fine line between having a joke and being the butt of one.
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Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example 23.1 (cont)
Brodie Panlock may have been easy prey, but this young, insecure woman's experience has exposed the erroneous idea embodied in hospitality's unspoken rule that what happens inside the kitchen or behind the counter can stay there. The tragedy is that she never lived to see what she had achieved.
Jen Vuk will write a weekly column over the holiday period.
For help or information visit beyondblue org au, call Suicide Helpline Victoria on 1300 651 251 1300 651 251 or Lifeline on 131 11
http://www.google.com.au/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=0&oq=Brodie+Panlock+&hl=en-GB&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGIC_en- GBAU224AU225&q=brodie+panlock+bullying#q=brodie+panlock+bullying&hl=en&rlz=1T4GGIC_en- GBAU224AU225&prmd=ivns&ei=ZifGTayvFoSKvQO2wPinAQ&start=20&sa=N&fp=c17d299499a2e904
58
Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example 23.2 (cont)
The Faces of Bullying
© AAP- IMAGES – “Cafe Vamp” – Owner & Workers
Brodie Rae Constance Panlock (19) – Café Vamp - Worker
Damien & Rae Panlock (Parents)
59
Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example 23.2 (cont)
The Faces of Bullying
© AAP- IMAGES – “Vamp Café – Owner & Workers”
Mark DeCruz Rhys MacAlpine (26) – Owner (26) - Worker
Nicholas Smallwood Gabriel Toomey (26) - Worker (26) - Worker
60
Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example 24.0 (cont)
Ghoulish Facebook vandals mock Australian laws
ASHER MOSES 09 Nov, 2010 02:08 PM The Border Mail http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/national/national/general/ghoulish-facebook- vandals-mock-australian-laws/1992301.aspx?storypage=0
The Facebook tribute pages of the Melbourne teenager who died yesterday after being punched in the head and the family who were killed in South Australia have been defaced with vulgar messages and sickening photographs.
It's the latest in a series of incidents of vandalism of tribute pages of people who have died around the world. An organised online group appears to be co-ordinating attacks on tribute pages, with police and other authorities doing little to stop it.
Facebook, which has been consistently criticised for failing to stamp out the practice and act quickly enough to remove the offensive messages, did not respond to a request for comment.
Calls have been placed with the local PR firm and Facebook's spokesmen in the US.
Cameron Lowe, 17, wrote a series of haunting messages on the social networking site following a confrontation with a group of youths who punched him in the head. He died in The Alfred hospital yesterday after he was found in his bed not breathing.
A "R.I.P Cameron Lowe" Facebook tribute page set up for his family and friends to offer condolences has been defaced with gruesome and pornographic photos.
Some of the images were posted by a group of internet "trolls" who also wrote highly offensive and inappropriate messages on the tribute page wall.
The group, whom we have chosen not to name to defeat their quest for notoriety, seeks to harass grieving families by defacing tribute pages.
They gather on an online forum, seen by this website, where they discuss targets and laugh about their work.
The group have posted a video on YouTube that glorifies their vandalism and shows how they deface the pages.
61
Australian - Cyberbullying - Court Cases (cont)
Example 24.0 (cont)
Also defaced was a tribute page to Chantelle Rowe, 16, who was found dead with her parents in their Adelaide home yesterday.
Inappropriate messages and doctored photographs were posted to several tribute pages for Chantelle and her family, who police believe were killed in a triple murder.
A cousin, Steven Rowe, wrote about the material on Facebook: "He even sent this shit to my inbox ... thats my cousin and i honestly hope some [sic] kicks your head in!"
But the user responsible for the messages replied: "I won't go to jail ... i'm not in Australia, therefore I cannot break the Australian law".
Victoria Police and South Australia Police both refused to comment, arguing no offence had been committed.
However, Jesssica Chantelle Cook, 22, from Queensland, received a three-month suspended jail sentence in August for posting offensive material on a Facebook tribute page for murdered Sunshine Coast woman Justine Jones.
Cook had pleaded guilty in the Gympie Magistrates Court to one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence.
Earlier this year, former prime minister Kevin Rudd said he was considering appointing an online ombudsman to deal with social networking issues after Facebook tribute pages for several slain Australian children were vandalised.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh wrote to Facebook demanding to know what action it intended to take to prevent a recurrence of these "sickening incidents".
In response to the outcry, Facebook sent out an alert to all Australian members informing them how they could lock down Facebook pages and prevent vandalism. However, this evidently had little impact.
62
Victims of CyberbBullying
in
Australia
63
Victims of CyberbBullying – Australia (cont)
Example 25.0
Extract from Mental Health Council of Australia
Submission 52 – JSC – Inquiry into Cybersafety
Alex Wildman - (14 Years Old)
Alex Wildman took his own life. According to the investigating coroner, bullying played a significant role in this 14 year old boy’s decision to suicide. An inquest into his death heard that bullying at school and on the Internet played a significant role in this young person’s death. The bullying included several physical assaults, as well as taunts and threats posted by students on a social networking site. (Sydney Morning Herald, 17 June 2010).
Chanelle Rae - (14 Years Old)
Chanelle Rae took her own life. Her mother has no doubt that cyber bullying was responsible for the death of her 14 year old daughter. “Friday night she was on the Internet and told me about some message that had come through, and she wanted to die because of the message. If she didn’t go on the Internet Friday night, she’d be alive today” (Karen Rae, Chanelle Rae’s mother, ABC News, 23 July 2009).
Allem Halkic - (17 Years Old)
Allem Halkic took his own life. The 17 year old’s suicide followed death threats received online from his former friend. His former friend was charged and sentenced with sending threatening messages to Allem with the Police prosecutor stating that cyber‐bullying “has become almost a plague in our community”. Outreach worker Les Twentyman said in the past eight months he knew of 10 teenagers who had killed themselves after being bullied by people online, mainly at social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook (The Australian, 9 April 2010).
64
Victims of CyberbBullying – Australia (cont)
Example # 26.0
Geelong Teens Suicide Deaths
1. Chanelle Rae - died in July 2009, she was 14. 2. Natalie Rowe - died in February. She was 14. 3. Zac Harvey - died in March. He was 15 and his girlfriend 4. Taylor Jennsen - died by committing suicide three weeks later.
Looking for a way to talk about suicide
Mary-Anne Toy
July 25, 2009
IT IS one of Australia's better good news stories, but you probably haven't heard about it: teenage suicide rates have fallen dramatically from 508 in 1997 to an average of 300 a year. But this welcome change is unlikely to be of any comfort to the four grieving families in Geelong (or others elsewhere) now mourning the loss of a child who has taken their own life.
The only time we seem to have the discussion about suicide is when a celebrity or the unusual is involved.
This week, a grieving mother on talkback radio blamed the internet for her teenage daughter's death and triggered a media avalanche. The media's inhibition about reporting individual suicides was abandoned because Chanelle Rae, 14, was the fourth student of Geelong's Western Heights College to die in five months.
The terrible reality of the individual tragedies was compounded because there was a cluster of deaths and a concomitant fear that copycat suicides (otherwise known as suicide contagion) were involved, along with suggestions of cyber-bullying.
Chanelle's mother, Karen, warned parents to keep their children off the "rotten internet", saying it was a threat made there that triggered her daughter's disastrous decision.
Chanelle's suicide followed that of three others from the school. It is unclear whether the first, that of Natalie Rowe, 14, a former student with bipolar disorder who died in February, was known to Chanelle. But the death in March of Zac Harvey, 15, and a few weeks later of his girlfriend, Taylor Jenssen, 16, would have been.
This newspaper did not cover the four teens' suicides because of concern about the risk of copycat deaths. Some, including our competitors, believe we were wrong. Such is the sensitivity surrounding this issue.
65
Victims of CyberbBullying – Australia (cont)
Example # 26.0 (cont)
Geelong Teens Suicide Deaths
Professor Diego De Leo, director of the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention at Queensland's Griffith University, says that while the community is entitled to know about the phenomenon of suicide clusters, the extent of the details to be made public is problematic.
"It is always a mistake to sensationalise or give it a romantic aura," he says. "We don't need such 'heroes' or pictures or details, or the methods or circumstances; these give the erroneous idea that there is one motive triggering the event, because it is never that."
De Leo says the need for restrained reporting is even more crucial when it comes to children. "Clearly one event influences the other and the end result is to normalise suicide in that particular group, and suicide should never be normalised at any level."
He believes Australia is fortunate in having some of the most comprehensive media guidelines on suicide, even if their implementation is still patchy.
Others such as Jo Robinson from Orygen youth mental health services say those "responsible" media guidelines may have inadvertently added to the problem.
"It's not that the guidelines themselves have gone too far; they're incredibly important because we do know that copycat suicides can be a significant problem," Robinson, research fellow at Orygen, says. "But maybe what's happened is we've become a bit afraid to talk about it. We need to find a way of having this discussion."
Toni van Hamond from headspace Barwon, part of the national youth mental health network, says the biggest myth about teen suicide is that talking to young people about it will only put bad ideas in their heads.
"We have to talk about it," van Hamond says. "We have to move beyond the current, absolute trauma. The big issue for parents at the moment is how do we know (if our children are having problems)?"
She says the older generation's "pull up your socks" mentality can be unhelpful and parents have to be empowered to ask their children outright if they're feeling sad or have thought about hurting themselves.
"We need to normalise the concept of mental health checks, because in a lot of communities, a lot of people still believe that mental health issues will not affect them. There's still this taboo," she says.
66
Victims of CyberbBullying – Australia (cont)
Example # 26.0 (cont)
Geelong Teens Suicide Deaths
Headspace Barwon has printed 40,000 stickers to be distributed to every student in the region as part of its "it's OK to say I'm not OK" campaign. The aim is to let children know they can and should go to someone they trust, such as a friend, their family, teacher, counsellor, or someone at a headspace drop-in centre, for a chat if they're feeling down.
The message she and other professionals want shouted across the community is that suicide is not an option. "They have choices. Life is tough; we have ups and downs but suicide is not an option and what they leave behind is traumatic and what we need young people to hear is that death is final," van Hamond says.
The Victorian Education Department, which has sent psychologists and other counsellors to the Geelong school this week, says the most important thing when talking to young people after a peer has committed suicide is to listen to them and correct any misunderstandings about what happened. But it is not always easy to establish the facts.
"At the outset you have to make sure when you're talking to children or young people you can correct any rumours or misinformation," says Vicki Trethowan, the department's chief psychologist.
For parents or other adults talking to young people about the issue it is important to be honest, and to emphasise that there are always people prepared to talk to them about the issue, rather than formalise it as "counselling". And, most importantly, parents can hug their children.
Adolescent child psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg says the tragedy in Geelong goes against the national trend of declining rates of youth suicide but underlines how important it is to persevere with all the reforms that have helped reduce the toll. He says resources for young people have never been better, citing the inclusion of emotional health in school curriculums, the establishment of helplines and national initiatives such as headspace and beyondblue, and the introduction of Medicare rebates for psychologists.
Carr-Gregg says the focus of the deaths in Geelong should not be on the deaths themselves but rather on the undiagnosed and untreated depression that underlies 90 per cent of suicides.
"The reality is that the delay in diagnosis and treatment can be anything from five to 15 years, according to beyondblue, and that's beyond tragic in a civilised country," he says.
And he says banning the internet, as some have suggested, would be counterproductive. "There's no point demonising the internet. The internet didn't kill this girl."
67
Victims of CyberbBullying – Australia (cont)
Example # 26.0 (cont)
Geelong Teens Suicide Deaths
Robinson says the internet presents unique challenges but also offers many benefits. The anonymity that fuels cyber-bullying may also encourage children too timid to ask for help to seek information on sites such as beyondblue, headspace, Reach Out and MoodGYM, which uses game-playing to teach good decision-making and other skills.
"As professionals we need to be a bit cleverer about how we use the internet as a tool rather than be frightened by it," she says. And it doesn't help if adults are too scared, for fear of doing harm, to discuss the issue. "I've done training with professionals who work with young people and some still find it difficult to say the word 'suicide' out loud.
"It is important for us to have a dialogue around youth suicide which can be a model for young people," she says. "Silence in the community gets perpetuated."
DOs and DONTs
Media guidelines on suicide - SOURCE: WWW.MINDFRAME-MEDIA.INFO
■Consider whether story needs to run at all.
■Use "suicide" sparingly and ensure language does not glamorise, sensationalise or present suicide as a solution to problems.
■Don't be explicit about method.
■Seek comment on the wastefulness of the act and provide helplines.
Mary-Anne Toy is a senior writer.
For help or information visit www.beyondblue.org.au, call Suicide Helpline Victoria on 1300 651 251, or Lifeline on 131 114. Teenagers experiencing personal problems can call Kids Help Line on 1800 55 1800. Victorian Suicide HelpLine on 1300 651 251; Lifeline on 13 11 14; SANE Helpline on 1800 187 263 or visit www.kidshelpline.com.au, www.headspace.org.au, www.suicideline.org.au.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/looking-for-a-way-to-talk-about-suicide- 20090724-dw8h.html#ixzz1LiLM0jsl
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Victims of CyberbBullying – Australia
Example # 26.1
Girl's death linked to cyber bullying 13:00 AEST Tue Jul 21 2009
Chanelle Rae's death has been linked with cyber bullying. ------
Cyber bullying may be behind the latest in a spate of suicides related to a Victorian school.
Chanelle Rae, from Geelong's Western Heights College, took her life on Friday in another heartbreaking loss for the 1400-pupil school.
The 14-year-old is the fourth current or former student to take their life in the past six months, the Geelong Advertiser reports.
Chanelle's mother, Karen, told 3AW radio this morning that her daughter had been bullied online before her death.
"Friday night she was on the internet," she said.
"She came in and told me some message had come through and she wanted to die because of the message.
"I lay in bed with her and we just discussed it for about an hour. She left ... just as happy as ever.
69
Victims of CyberbBullying – Australia (cont)
Example # 26.1 (cont)
"It was a passing comment, she didn’t come in and say 'I'm going to kill myself'.
"All I want is my baby back and it's not going to happen."
Ms Rae warned other parents of the dangers of online bullying.
"I want to tell people to keep their kids off the rotten internet — this horrible place," she said.
"This MSN [messenger] and these other things, the first thing the police said was they are getting bullied and have problems at school and they come and get on the internet and it's continuous and there's no break for them."
A spokesperson for Windows Live Messenger (which in Australia is part of the ninemsn network) said the program featured procedures to keep children safe online.
"Bullying happens in the offline world, and unfortunately in the online world too," Alex Parsons, director of MSN Products said.
"Parents need to get involved with what their kids are doing online, just like they do with other aspects of their kids' lives.
"If a child is being bullied on an instant messaging service or social networking site, they can block that contact and the person will no longer be able to communicate with them."
Chanelle was described as a beautiful and bubbly girl who was a devoted Geelong Cats supporter.
She was a member of the club's cheer squad and took a banner supporting defender Corey Enright to games.
Friends have flooded Chanelle's MySpace page with emotional tributes.
"Looking at all these pictures makes me wanna cry coz I miss you so much," Rebecca wrote.
"It's gonna be hard, I will never forget you beautiful," wrote Taylor.
* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263) or visit www.beyondblue.org.au.
70
Victims of CyberbBullying – Australia (cont)
Example # 26.2
By Melissa Jenkins Herald-Sun http://heygrrrl.wordpress.com/2009/07/24/chanelle-rae-schoolmate-i-could-have-met-the- same-fate/
AS 14-year-old Chanelle Rae is laid to rest in Highton today, another teenager has reflected on the frightening fact she could have met the same fate. Year Nine student Sarah (not her real name) tried to kill herself about one month ago.
Like Chanelle, who took her own life last week, Sarah was the victim of school bullying – in person and on the internet. She attempted suicide following an extended campaign of bullying at the hands of schoolmates and someone who hacked into her Facebook and MSN Messenger accounts and, pretending to be her, posted nasty messages to others.
―I lost so many friends through that,‖ Sarah told AAP. ‖Every single day I would go back to school and go through being bullied and having this horrible feeling about every day waking up to go to this horrid place.
71
Victims of CyberbBullying – Australia (cont)
Example # 26.3
Teen's death highlights cyber bullying trend
By Thea Dikeos for the 7.30 Report
Posted Thu Jul 23, 2009 5:44am AEST Updated Thu Jul 23, 2009 6:23am AEST
Disturbing trend: kids bullied online are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety (ABC News: Giulio Saggin, file photo)
A Melbourne mother has blamed her 14-year-old daughter's suicide on the internet and the tragic case has highlighted the problem of cyber bullying among young people.
In Australia, one of the first comprehensive studies of cyber bullying shows about 10 per cent of teenagers and children have experienced some form of sustained bullying using technology.
It is a behaviour that can have tragic consequences.
Speaking on Melbourne radio, mother Karen Rae is in no doubt that cyber bullying was responsible for the death of her 14-year-old daughter.
"Friday night she was on the internet and told me about some message that had come through, and she wanted to die because of the message," Ms Rae said.
"I laid in bed with her in my bed and we discussed it for about an hour and she left me fairly happy. I can guarantee you if she didn't go on the internet Friday night she'd be alive today."
The girl's death has devastated her family and friends and has dramatically brought to the fore the impact of cyber bullying.
Depression, anxiety
Professor Donna Cross from Edith Cowan University has completed a landmark study on cyber bullying, commissioned by the Federal Government.
Professor Cross describes cyber bullying as "any bullying behaviour that is delivered through technology - through mobile phones or over the internet".
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Victims of CyberbBullying – Australia (cont)
Example # 26.3 (cont)
She says kids who have been bullied are much more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety.
"We know that probably the most significant effects on children who've been bullied are effects on their mental health," she said.
"They're much more likely to feel depressed, anxious, their self-esteem is affected, there are some students that report suicide ideation; it has very serious immediate effects and long- term effects."
Twenty-thousand Australian school children were surveyed using a combination of anonymous questionnaires and interviews.
According to the survey conducted by Professor Cross, about 10 per cent of young people reported they were being cyber bullied.
'Chain of abuse'
One of those young people who has been the target of cyber bullying is Tom Wood.
"I was involved in a lot of forums and websites on the net and one of them had members that wanted to abuse others just to get reactions," he said.
"I tried to stand up to him one day and it just started a chain of continuous abuse and threats."
Mr Wood had no idea how to respond to the abuse that was being directed at him online.
He recalls the experience from a few years ago and how difficult it was to speak up about what was happening.
"For a while I didn't know and I didn't react and stop it, instead my thoughts were it wasn't worth telling my parents," he said.
"It would have just alarmed them; they wouldn't have any idea of what to do, so I thought I'd just keep retaliating and not put up with it.
"But after a while I realised all it did was make it get worse and kept provoking the situation, so at the end I just decided not to respond and after a while I didn't get any abuse any more and it just stopped it, simple as that."
73
Victims of CyberbBullying – Australia (cont)
Example # 26.3 (cont)
Since his experience, Mr Wood has become an activist speaking in schools about tackling cyber bulling.
He says the internet is a positive and important social tool for young people and just switching off the computer in order to deal with cyber bullying is not a realistic option.
"I usually tell them not to respond to the bully but try to block and delete them," he said.
"Save the evidence and report the abuse to the administrator, because most of the time that will effectively stop it."
Not taken seriously?
But for Professor Cross, one of the biggest problems identified by her research is that young people do not think adults take cyber bullying seriously.
"The young people would say the greatest harm is that they feel they can't tell anybody, that covert bullying is something that adults would think isn't that serious," she said.
"Having a rumour spread about you, does that really hurt you? Young people would say, yes, it does, it hurts us enormously, it hurts our reputation, our sense of popularity, and as a result it really can do some harm to us socially, emotionally and mentally."
And what many cyber bullies do not realise is that the abuse which may be meted out over the net or mobile phone may well put them not just outside acceptable social norms but also the law.
Lawyer James Newman says the act of cyber bullying could result in criminal charges.
"There can be offences against the Commonwealth Crimes Act for things all the way from threats to kill down to simply harassment," he said.
"If that harassment, threats to injure, threats to kill occur over telecommunications equipment, those students can be exposing themselves to criminal charges."
There are now calls for parents, schools and children to act together to combat the growing problem of cyber bullying.
"The group that has the greatest opportunity to change this behaviour are peers - we need young people to say, 'we don't want to tolerate this behaviour'," Professor Cross said.
74
Victims of CyberbBullying – Australia (cont)
Example # 26.4
Natalie Rowe - died in February. She was 14.
Corio teen launches website to tackle suicide
Jessica Craven
April 14th, 2009
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Thomas Rowe has launched a website to help combat suicide after the tragic death of his sister Natalie.
THOMAS Rowe has spent the last two months on a mission to turn anguish into hope.
The Corio teenager felt powerless when his beloved 14-year-old sister Natalie took her own life in February but he has turned his grief into a positive message for hundreds of teenagers.
The articulate year 12 student started a webpage to promote his youth suicide-prevention campaign, entitled Gravity, on social networking site MySpace last Wednesday.
The campaign's catchphrase is "You're not alone, we all feel it" and more than 1200 people have joined the movement in less than a week.
Natalie died by her own hand after battling bipolar disorder and depression.
What are your thoughts on this story. Tell us using the feedback form below
"I never saw it coming and that's the worst part. You just don't know what you could have done to help her," Thomas said.
"I really think something like this would have shown her she wasn't alone, that everyone feels like that sometimes."
Thomas said he set up the website to instil a sense of hope in people who feel desperate and alone.
"Suicide is happening everywhere in Geelong and no one talks about it," he said.
"People have just flooded the site saying I've lost a brother, a cousin, an uncle, a sister to suicide. It's out there and affecting people and they want to know how to stop this."
75
Victims of CyberbBullying – Australia (cont)
Example # 26.4 (cont)
The site lists suicide helplines and websites people can contact for help and teenagers have been submitting art bearing the campaign slogan to the site.
Thomas stressed that people experiencing personal problems should contact professionals.
"I'm not a trained psychologist, obviously, so it's important that people who need that sort of help access it. But people are using the site in a positive way, to speak about ways to get past the loneliness and sadness we all feel sometimes."
Many followers have added the Gravity banner to their MySpace page in a bid to spread the message.
Thomas said he plans to take his campaign to the streets and was preparing a presentation for high-schoolers.
"I'm building a proper website with a friend at the moment but MySpace is a great way to make people aware of it," he said.
"We're looking at organising a music gig to raise awareness and funds for youth suicide prevention and we want to produce some Gravity clothing to raise money for charity as well."
"I'm also putting together a portfolio to show to local businesses because I'm keen to get some sponsors on board."
PEOPLE experiencing personal problems can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, SANE Helpline on 1800 187 263, Victorian SuicideLine on 1300 651 251 or visit www.suicideline.org.au
76
Victims of CyberbBullying – Australia (cont)
Example # 27.0 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/18/2930948.htm
Cyberbullying problem beyond school gates, teachers warn
Posted Fri Jun 18, 2010 3:28pm AEST
The Australian Education Union has backed a call by a New South Wales coroner for more counsellors in schools but says cyberbullying must also be addressed.
The deputy state coroner Malcolm MacPherson also called for a review of state anti-bullying policies in findings on the suicide death of 14-year-old Alex Wildman.
The teenager died in 2008 following repeated bullying at schools in Sydney and Lismore, on the state's north coast.
AEU president Angelo Gavrielatos says some of the issues go well beyond the control of schools.
"We need to increase the amount of school counsellor time to be able to address the many complex issues that students bring to schools," he said.
"But some of these issues go well beyond the school gates - cyber bullying goes well beyond the school gates.
"Schools are expected to do a lot of things but I think we need to recognise the community dimension of cyber bullying."
The New South Wales Department of Education says it will carefully consider the coronial recommendations before giving a full response.
It says no form of bullying is tolerated in public schools.
77
Victims of CyberbBullying – Australia (cont)
Example # 28.0
Bullied to Death
May 13, 2010, 6:58 am Kate Halfpenny and Sarah Marinos whomagazine
Photograph by Richard Whitfield
The suicide of one couple's beloved son leads to Australia's first cyberbullying conviction
Along with photos of friends and his favourite bands, Metallica and Kiss, a yellow barcode is stuck on the door of Allem Halkic's bedroom at his family's home in Altona Meadows, Victoria. During the summer two years ago, "Allem worked with me for eight weeks," says his father, Ali, 44, the Victorian operations manager with an international express and logistics company. "When he went back to school, I found the barcode from work on his door. He said, 'Dad, every day this reminds me why I have to stay at school.' "
But Allem didn't get to find the future he wanted. At age 17, he jumped from Melbourne's West Gate Bridge on Feb. 5, 2009, after an ex-friend sent him a stream of threatening messages via SMS and the internet. On April 8, Allem's tormentor, Shane Phillip Gerada, 21, became the first person in Australia to face prosecution for stalking via cyberbullying when he pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates Court to stalking. Said magistrate Peter Reardon, "It demonstrates SMS messages or internet communication may have severe consequences on intended victims, whether meant to or not."
Gerada received an 18-month community-based order, but the Halkic family say the loss of their only child has sentenced them to a life of pain. They're not alone. Research in a number of countries reports one-third of young people between the ages of 10 and 18 have been cyberbullied, with some of those receiving death threats. In Australia, one in 10 students, is said to be cyber bullied. Melbourne adolescent psychologist Professor Michael Carr-Gregg referred to cyberbullying on ABC's Four Corners in April 2009: "I would like someone to take the lead on what I consider to be the most important public-health issue impacting on adolescent mental health in Australia today."
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Victims of CyberbBullying – Australia (cont)
Example # 28.0 (cont)
Since Allem's death, time has stood still in his bedroom. His blue quilt is turned back on the bed, and his bedside table has his possessions - crystals, the Breitling watch his parents gave him when he finished Year 11 - in order, just as Allem liked them. There's an opened can of Pepsi Light and an empty bag of chips next to his bed. ―"He had juvenile diabetes, so before he went to bed he'd always have something to eat," says Ali. "The night before he died he was laughing at something he was watching on TV in his room. I heard him open the can and I heard him crunching his chips."
That was just before midnight on Feb. 4, 2009. Dina, 42, and Ali went to bed about 10.30 PM but Allem, who was a few days into Year 12 at Bayside Secondary College, popped in. "He asked me what he had for lunch tomorrow. It was in the fridge ready and he checked that," recalls Dina, a finance company senior manager. "He'd seen his best friend, Monica, that afternoon for a few hours. Then he caught up with friends to play poker. Allem won and left with a smile."
On his last night, "There was no sign he was stressed or worried about anything," says Dina. "He went to bed that night with intentions of going to school the next morning. But then something happened, and I don't think we'll ever know exactly what that was." What is known is evidence heard in the Magistrates Court that Gerada fell out with Allem, who he met about four months before his death, after making insulting comments about one of Allem's friends. Allem warned his mate to be careful, and Gerada told police he felt betrayed by Allem. Allem had also recently started to see a local girl. When Gerada found this out, he tracked down the girl's allegedly possessive ex and told him about Allem. In the days and hours before Allem died, Gerada sent him a series of increasingly threatening texts: "Ur all mouth and no action, wait till I get my hands on u, and I'm telling u now ill put you in hospital," and "Don't be surprised if u get hit sum time soon. You f--ked with the wrong person," wrote Gerada, who told Allem it was "payback time."
At 1 AM on Feb. 5, Dina says Allem had a call on his mobile from the girl he was seeing, warning her ex had phoned and he should be careful. Allem contacted Gerada and asked what was going on. Then a group of friends told police they picked up Allem from home about 2.30 AM, drove around for hours, and left Allem at the foot of the West Gate Bridge, where he said he had to meet someone. He walked up the bridge, and around 5.01 AM, Allem jumped into the Yarra River 58m below. Just before his death, he sent Gerada a message: "I need your help. You may not give a f--k about me but just answer your phone tomorrow."
At 6.30 AM the Halkics found Allem wasn't home, and called police. At 7.15 AM, police called back and spoke to Ali: "They asked if Allem had an insulin pump with him and what colour it was. I knew something was very wrong." Within 10 minutes, "A police car parked in the driveway, but the officers sat in the car for a couple of minutes. I could see they didn't want to get out. We were waiting at the door and Dina was holding me so hard," says Ali. When the
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Victims of CyberbBullying – Australia (cont)
Example # 28.0 (cont) officers came inside, "I asked if our boy was alive and they said, 'I'm sorry, Mr Halkic. He's dead.' I can't describe how that moment is. Something inside you just disappears."
It was a few days before Allem's bullying via the internet and SMS came to light; when police checked Allem's mobile they found the texts that led to Gerada's being charged and convicted of stalking. "Our son is dead because of the bullying and threats," says Ali. "He took his life because of the fear of what might happen." Allem, he says, "didn't like conflict. And at 17 he was still a child. When he was dealt an evil hand, he didn't know what to do. The tragedy is Allem wanted to protect his family and friends from this. So he kept it to himself." Allem mentioned some of the text messages to his best friend, Monica Shaw, 18, but, she says, "I just told him to ignore the messages and leave it be and he said, 'Yeah, I will.' " Friend Cain Heffernan, 19, says mates "never saw any sign Allem was struggling. I don't think he knew what to do about the bullying. He didn't like fighting."
Fifteen months after Allem's death, Dina has her son's name tattooed on her left wrist, and she and Ali pay regular visits to their son's grave in Melbourne. The black, granite grave is carefully tended and includes mementos - photos, a bottle of Allem's favourite Giorgio Armani aftershave, his sunglasses. Dina and Ali have bought the plots next to their son. "I come here three or four times a week, usually when I’m feeling angry," says Ali, standing at his son's grave. "The normal thing in life, as a parent, would be to try and take revenge. But instead we want to make a difference to other people. We can't let his death stand for nothing."
The couple plan to meet with the National Centre Against Bullying to lobby government to educate children and parents about cyberbullying risks and prevention. They also want to toughen cyberbullying laws so offenders land "appropriate" punishments. "We thought Allem was at home so he must be safe. We didn't know what we were letting in to our house with the internet and his mobile phone and we've paid the ultimate price for our naivety," says Ali. "We live a lie. We're too scared to have a peaceful moment alone so we try and keep ourselves busy. We don't feel anything any more. But we need to know we have done everything we possibly can to prevent this happening to another family."
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Victims of CyberbBullying
in
2010
in the
United States of America
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Victims of CyberbBullying – 2010 – USA
Example # 29.0
Seth Walsh 13 Years Old - Died - 27th September, 2010
Seth Walsh, 13 - (Hung Himself at Home)
The pastor told TIME that the focus of the service was "going to be on Seth and his life, not on the bullying, and not on the homosexuality." But both subjects were clearly in evidence at the service. As part of a photo montage displayed on the white walls behind the altar, Seth was shown happily wearing a plastic tiara on his head. The next frame featured the word bullying with a red slash through it.
Seth's grandparents insist their grandson knew from an early age that he was gay. "Wendy did everything humanly possible to help him understand his world and to support him," Jim Walsh, a retired school principal, told TIME. "And so did his brothers and sister." But it was something young Seth had trouble accepting. "Initially he wanted to have a girlfriend," says grandmother Judy Walsh, a retired schoolteacher. "He wasn't happy with his orientation. He read the Bible a lot. This was not the way he wanted to live his life, but that's what he was dealt with."
Even before he came out, he was teased enough, his grandparents say, that he was homeschooled on two separate occasions. His best friend, Jamie Phillips, says Seth, who told friends he was gay last year, was harassed long before: "Since it was a rumor that went around, everyone thought he was gay." "He started getting teased by the fourth and fifth grade," says Judy Walsh. "By sixth grade, the kids were starting to get mean. By the seventh grade, he was afraid to walk home from school because he was afraid he would get harassed. As he was walking by a classroom, a kid yelled out, 'Queer.' Stuff like that."
The bullying took every form. "It was eye to eye, over the telephone, personal, over the Internet," says Judy. "He spent a lot of his life frightened." Seth's grandparents say the breaking point came after what they believe was a bullying incident in a local park on Sept. 19. After the incident, Seth appeared to be acting normally at home. He then showered and asked to borrow a pen from his mother to write. Then he said he was going to play with the dogs in the backyard. His horrified mother found him later at the tree and fought to save her child even though she suspected it was futile. "Wendy told me, when she put him on the ground, she knew his soul was gone," said Jim. The medical response teams did their best to revive him, heliporting Seth to the county's trauma center, where he remained on life support before dying Sept. 27.
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Victims of CyberbBullying – 2010 – USA (cont)
Example # 30.0
Asher Brown - 13 Years Old - Died - 23rd September, 2010
(Shot himself at Home)
Asher Brown
HOUSTON - A 13-year-old boy has died and his parents say he was bullied to death. Just one month into the 2010-2011 school year, David and Amy Truong say their son was fed up with his classmates calling him names. Asher Brown came home from school Thursday while his parents were at work. They say he took his own life so he would not have to be bullied anymore. "He was just such a sweet boy," says Brown's mother Amy Truong. David Truong says he arrived home finding his stepson shot to death. "I thought he was laying there reading a book or something. My son put a gun to his head because he couldn't take what he was hearing and the constant teasing," says David Truong.
Brown's mother arrived home from work finding her home in chaos. "I saw yellow tape and police cars in front of my house," says Amy Truong while choking back tears of mourning. Brown was in eighth grade at Hamilton Middle School. A "No Bullying School Zone" sign is clearly posted out front; a sign the Truongs say their son's tormentors ignored for two years. "It's just not fair and the ultimate result is my son is dead. He just couldn't take it anymore," says Amy Truong.
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Victims of CyberbBullying – 2010 – USA (cont)
Example # 30.0 (cont)
Asher Brown - 13 Years Old - Died - 23rd September, 2010 (cont)
The family actually relocated to the Cypress-Fairbanks area, away from another district because they say Asher Brown was also being bullied there -- a move they say only made things worse. "For some reason, he stood out and people were just cruel. Kids were cruel to my kid. He was very different. He's not the type of kid that would try to wear the newest clothes or try to do the coolest thing. He was an individual," says David Truong. "Asher was a great boy. He was very smart," says his mother. The Truongs say over this past summer, Brown confided in them that he was gay. The parents say the conversation went so well, they believe he went on to confess to children at his school. "They called him different names for being homosexual. He just had enough," says David Truong. Facebook is now full of condolences for the 13-year-old student. An outpouring of love from his peers, over his death. Love he obviously did not feel in life. "It has to stop. I don't want any other family to have to go make funeral arrangements like I did for my son. He wasn't supposed to die at 13," says Amy Truong.
The Truongs say their son often tried to hide that he was being picked on because he felt the bullying would get worse if he told. They say the night before his suicide, he seemed sad. When they asked what was wrong, they say they let it go after he said he was fine. They are encouraging other parents to push past the "I'm fine," because Asher Brown is proof the problem could be much more serious than anyone would imagine.
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Victims of CyberbBullying – 2010 – USA (cont)
Example # 31.0 (cont)
Tyler Clementi – 18 Years Old - Died - 22nd September, 2010
(Jumped off Bridge and Drowned)
Tyler Clementi was an eighteen-year-old student at Rutgers University in Piscataway Township, New Jersey, who jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge on September 22, 2010.
This occurred after his sexual encounter with a man in his dorm room was video streamed over the Internet without Clementi's knowledge, by his roommate Dharun Ravi and a fellow hallmate Molly Wei, and after a second attempt was made by Ravi to record Clementi's sexual encounters.
Ravi and Wei were charged with invasion of privacy.
The shy teenager, a Rutgers University fresher, turned to internet message boards in the days leading up to his suicide where he sought advice.
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Victims of CyberbBullying – 2010 – USA (cont)
Example # 32.0 (cont)
Jon Carmichael - 13 Years Old - Died - 7th April, 2010
(Hung Himself at Home)
JOSHUA, Texas, Bullying may have claimed the life of another student. Jon Carmichael took his own life Sunday after some say he was bullied by bigger classmates.
Jon was an eighth grader at Loflin Middle School and those closest to the 13-year-old say he had been picked-on for years.
Jeremy Stanbaugh, one of Jon's best friends, told CBS affiliate KTVT that Jon was bullied "because he was short."
"It's just gonna be quiet around here without him around," Jeremy said to the local station.
Other students told KTVT that Jon was a good student and well liked among his friends.
Karen Gowan, who took Jon to her church with her son, hopes there is a lesson to be learned about bullying.
"If there's one positive thing that would come out of this is that kids would learn to treat other kids with respect," Gowan told the station.
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Australia Government
CyberbBullying - Initiatives
In
Australia
87
Australian Government CyberbBullying Initiatives
Example # 33.0
Cybersafety plan
The internet is an essential tool for all Australians, including children. It is an integral part of our economic and social activities, and a vast resource of information, education and entertainment.
The ability to use online tools effectively provides both a skill for life and the means to acquire new skills.
While the internet has created substantial benefits for children, it has also exposed them to a number of dangers, including exposure to illegal and prohibited content.
Parents rightly expect the Australian Government to play its part in helping protect children online.
Cybersafety commitment
In May 2008 the Australian Government committed $125.8 million over four years to a comprehensive cybersafety plan to combat online risks and help parents and educators protect children from inappropriate material. Measures include increased funding towards cybersafety education and awareness raising activities, content filtering and law enforcement.
The government’s commitment to cybersafety includes:
expanding the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Child Protection Operations Team to detect and investigate online child sex exploitation
funding to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions to manage increased activity resulting from the AFP work to ensure that prosecutions are handled quickly
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Australian Government CyberbBullying Initiatives (cont)
Example # 33.0 (cont)
funding to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA) to:
- implement a comprehensive range of cybersafety education activities including improving current government - cybersafety website resources, make them easier for parents to use, and to provide up-to-date information, - implement an online helpline to provide a quick and easy way for children to report online incidents that cause them concern
developing and implementing ISP filtering, which included undertaking a real world live pilot
expanding the Consultative Working Group that considers the broad range of cybersafety issues and advises government to ensure properly-developed and targeted policy initiatives
forming a Youth Advisory Group to provide advice to the Consultative Working Group on cybersafety issues from a young person’s perspective
ongoing cybersafety research into the changing digital environment to identify issues and target future policy and funding.
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Australian Government CyberbBullying Initiatives (cont)
Example # 34.0
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity
Media Release Date: 4 May 2009 Contact: Tim Marshall 0408 258 457
Youth to advise Government on cyber-bullying and cyber-threats
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today announced a group of 305 young Australians to advise Government on online issues such as cyber-bullying.
"Young people are at the leading edge of online experience and can provide valuable advice on emerging problems such as cyber-bullying, invasions of privacy and illegal content."
"The Youth Advisory Group is a unique opportunity for young people to contribute to policy development by advising the Government on cyber-safety concerns and solutions."
Senator Conroy today launched the Youth Advisory Group with students from Caroline Springs College in Melbourne's western suburbs, one of 15 participating schools nationally.
305 secondary school students nationally, aged from 11 to 17, will participate as members of the Youth Advisory Group through a secure website and at face-to-face meetings.
"The National Broadband Network will herald a revolution in education, providing new opportunities for students, teachers and parents across the country," Senator Conroy said.
"The Government is interested in fostering a safe online environment and helping develop responses to internet risks," Senator Conroy said.
"A safe online environment helps develop digital confidence, increasing the opportunities for people to benefit from online services."
The Rudd Government recognises that there is no single solution to the problem of online risks and that a range of measures is required.
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Australian Government CyberbBullying Initiatives (cont)
Example # 34.0 (cont)
The Youth Advisory Group is one part of the Government's $125.8 million cyber-safety plan announced in May 2008, which includes a comprehensive range of measures such as:
law enforcement, including 91 extra Australian Federal Police officers education and information measures resources such as help-lines and websites ISP content filtering consultative arrangements with industry, child protection bodies, and research to identify possible areas for further action.
For further information on cyber-safety, visit www.dbcde.gov.au/cybersafetyplan
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Australian Government CyberbBullying Initiatives (cont)
Example # 35.0
Strategy to reduce suicide in children
Natasha Bita From: The Australian November 26, 2010 12:00AM
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/strategy-to-reduce-suicide-in-children/story- e6frg6nf-1225961144503
Copycat suicides by children and indigenous Australians will be targeted in a new federal government intervention next year.
The Gillard government has agreed to a Senate inquiry's recommendation that it devise and fund a suicide prevention strategy to counsel and support Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, who are twice as likely as white Australians to take their own lives.
A 10-year-old indigenous girl who hanged herself this year was among 85 Queensland children and teenagers who have killed themselves in the past five years.
Suicide is the leading cause of death for children aged 10 to 14 in Queensland, the state with the most comprehensive data on suicide deaths. More than half the children who killed themselves had tried it before, and four in 10 had witnessed the suicide of a friend, family or community member, according to the Queensland Commission for Children and Young People.
Many of the children committed suicide after contact with welfare workers, police, health services and schools, according to a damning indictment of the state's child protection system.
Twenty children were aged 10 to 14, and 27 were "known" to the child protection system. Forty per cent had experienced abuse or chronic family conflict or violence.
The Queensland opposition's spokesman for child safety, Jack Dempsey, said it was heartbreaking and outrageous that any children known to welfare workers had died. "If we had one death in custody, we would have a royal commission," he said yesterday.
Twenty-four of the dead children were indigenous, making the Aboriginal suicide rate six times higher than for white children.
Nationally, the suicide rate among indigenous people aged 15 and older is more than double the rate of other Australians.
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Australian Government CyberbBullying Initiatives (cont)
Example # 35.0 (cont)
The Queensland commission found that 63 per cent of children who committed suicide had "significant behavioural problems and disciplinary problems".
"This included ongoing truancy, physical and verbal abuse of others, suspension or exclusion from school [and] contact with police and/or youth justice," it says in a submission to the Senate inquiry into suicide. "These findings challenge the popular belief that most students who suicide are predominantly introverted, withdrawn and often bullied. Sixty per cent . . . had previously stated or implied their intention to suicide."
The Australian and New Zealand Child Death Prevention Group says 49 children killed themselves in Queensland, NSW and Victoria in 2007.
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Bullying & CyberbBullying
Practical Theories & Models
by
Stewart Healley
94
Bullying & Cyberbullying Behaviour
Positive & Negative Behaviour Choices
95
Bullying & Cyberbullying Behaviour
The 3 N Theory– Individual Differences
96
Bullying & Cyberbullying Behaviour
Resources & Support - Circle
97
Bullying & Cyberbullying Behaviour
Resources & Support - Matrix
Resources & Support Matrix - Stewart Healley (2000)
Not-Sharing Sharing Resources In in Resources & Support Resources & Support
Feeling Bad Feeling Good Helpless Helping High Conflict Confident Unsupported Supporting (Low) Out of Control In-Control (Needs) Disconnecting Connecting Outcast of Society Building of Society Aggressive Resilient Covert Power Overt Power Angry Alive
Feeling Sad Feeling Happy Hopeless Helped Low Confused Comfortable No Support Supported (High) No Control Shared Control (Needs) Disconnected Connected Burden on Society Part of Society Stressed Content Powerlessness Power Sharing Suicidal Euthanistic
Support Individual Community
High Needs = Low Resources Low Needs = High Resources
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Resources & Support – Bully / Victim Matrix
99
Bullying & Cyberbullying - Human Rights Perspective
100
The End
101