Sending threatening or abusive messages is an offence. So points out a police force that has set up a website – www.urnotinvisible.org.uk – to empower victims with the know-how to protect themselves more effectively and co-operate with authorities to help bring offenders to justice.
The microsite carries related news, the answers to frequently asked questions, and social media updates plus a chance to take a quiz challenge to test cyber awareness. The campaign also aims to encourage the public not to use technology for making comments they would not make in person and to remember that once typed, harmful words cannot be retracted.
Chief Superintendent Jeff Moore of Staffordshire Police, who commissioned a report into cyberbullying, also leads local policing across the south of the county. He said: “Communication technology offers so much to society but unfortunately it also provides a means that offenders can use to bully and threaten others. We are encouraging people to take more care when using social media. Facebook, Twitter and mobile phone networks don’t want people to abuse their platforms and so offer advice and help.
“The security settings provided help to keep people safer but many users bypass them. We want people to be take care, to understand your profile and what can be done to stay safe; also for them to make use of the service providers’ policies by reporting abuse to the relevant ones. As distressing as these messages may be, it is crucial that they are not deleted as they could become evidence in a criminal investigation. We can be contacted on telephone 101 but it is important to remember, 999 is the number to call if anyone feels they are in immediate physical danger from any of these messages.”
Visit http://www.urnotinvisible.org.uk.
