ONEVOICE NEVER SILENCED
THE HOME FOR ALL BE YOU MAN, WOMAN OR CHILD. WE ARE HERE TO COCOON, SERVE & PROTECT.
THE LAW
IF YOU REQUIRE SPECIFIC HELP & GUIDANCE OR HAVE BEEN FAILED BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM PLEASE EMAIL:
This is for anyone who is a victim of harassment, stalking, cyber bullying, malicious phone calls, texts etc.
VICTIMS KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
The police have an obligation under Article 2 HR to protect life - always bear this in mind when reporting a crime and if necessary quote it!
IMPORTANT
IF YOUR SAFE ADDRESS HAS BEEN EXPOSED/DISCLOSED YOU MUST RING 999 AND INFORM THE POLICE STRAIGHT AWAY!
Protection from Harassment Act
1997
This Act was passed
following concerns that stalking was not dealt with effectively under the
existing legislation. The Act does not refer solely to stalking but also
covers harassment in a wider sense. The Act states that it is unlawful to
cause harassment, alarm or distress by a course of conduct and states that;
A
person must not pursue a course of conduct, which:
amounts to harassment of another
He/she knows, or ought to know, amounts to harassment of the other.
There
is some anecdotal evidence that the police are more comfortable in bringing
forward this law when dealing with issues of cyberbullying. The police have successfully used the Protection from Harassment
Act to
prosecute for the sending of offensive e-mails through the
internet. Such messages will also constitute an offence under the Malicious
Communications Act.
REMEMBER THE POLICE HAVE AN OBLIGATION UNDER ARTICLE 2 OF HR TO PROTECT LIVES!
Criminal Justice and Public Order Act
1994
This Act defines a
criminal offence of intentional harassment, which covers all forms, including
sexual harassment.
A person is guilty of an offence if, with intent to
cause a person harassment, alarm or distress, he/she uses;
- threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly
behaviour;
or
- displays
any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive
or insulting, thereby causing that or another person harassment, alarm or
distress
Malicious Communications Act 1998/Telecommunications Act
1984
Under this Act it is
an offence to send an indecent, offensive or threatening letter, electronic
communication or other article to another person.
Under section 43
of the Telecommunications Act 1984 it is a similar offence to send a telephone message
which is indecent, offensive or threatening.
Both these offenses are punishable with up to six months imprisonment and/or a
fine.
The Malicious Communications offence are wider ranging, but under the Telecommunications offence, it is likely that the Police will use the former
Act to bring a charge.
The Communications Act 2003
The Communications
Act 2003 is by far the most recent Act to be passed. Section 127 states
that a person is guilty of an offence if he/she;
-
sends by means of a public electronic communications network, a message or other
matter that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing
character;
or
causes
any such message or matter to be so.
A
person is guilty of an offence if, for the purpose of causing annoyance,
inconvenience or needless anxiety to another by means of a public
electronic communications network, a message that he/she knows to be false,
- causes
such a message to be sent;
or
- persistently
makes use of a public electronic communications network
WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
Record - as tempting as it is
just to delete an abusive message, it is important you keep a record of it.
Set
up a separate folder and store it and if on DM/IM take a screenshot and save
that.
Report - the sooner you report
it to the Police, the sooner they can investigate and put an end to it.
Each
Police Force now has a dedicated unit for this crime, always ask for someone
from that unit to speak to.
Warning - Issue the following warning:
You are harassing & stalking. You are causing fear & distress. Stop.
Do not enter into conversation with an abuser.
If they contact directly by telephone, calmly tell them
that it is being reported to the Police and hang up.
Never give anybody you do not know or trust personal details.
eg. Single mum, kids names/ages.
Which are also running a campaign for nuisance calls and text where you can report. PLEASE USE THIS SERVICE if you are receiving unwanted text messages or phone calls. Please click here to be immediately redirected to the Which reporting service.
ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Abusers will blame you, they will put the abuse on you and make you feel it is YOUR fault!
IT ISN'T VICTIMS KNOW YOUR RIGHTS - MAKE THAT CALL!
BE PROACTIVE NOT REACTIVE!
Eve x
