Keep Your Kids Safe
Cyber bullying part 3: When all else fails
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As discussed in previous articles, if the cyber-bullying reaches a stage or intensity that can no longer be dealt with ‘in an orderly fashion’, there are a few official/legal options open to you. This is safest route if the bullying is relentless, vindictive, threatening in nature and if ANY damage has been done to your child’s emotional well being or dignity.
The following options are those that ‘could’ lead to a desired outcome for both you and your child. South Africa is sadly still very ill equipped to handle and effectively manage the growing scourge of cyber-bullying. The South African judicial system has as yet, not been at the forefront of any aggressive steps or processes to combat the problem. There are very few precedents and the police too, seem rather reactive in their approach towards cyber-bullying. This will in all probability change in the near future as more incidents are reported and publicised.
However, there ARE options open to you:
THE SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY / DEPT OF EDUCATION:
If; as mentioned previous articles; the cyber-bully is known to your child (most likely) and attends the same school as him/her (most likely), the school and it’s relevant governing body should have disciplinary mechanisms in place to assist you in putting an end to the bullying. Depending on the severity of the misconduct, the cyber-bully could face suspension, expulsion and more. The various sanctions would depend on the specific schools Code of Conduct etc. Should the school NOT seem that eager to assist you, when you feel they ‘could’ possibly resolve the situation (especially if the bullying has moved from cyber space into the school passages) you should contact the relevant Provincial Education Department within your province. Many parents have done this and achieved the desired outcome. Below is a list of the various Provincial departments and their contact numbers.
EASTERN CAPE:
Tel. 040 608 4200 | Web. www.ecdoe.gov.za
FREE STATE:
Tel. 051 404 8000 | Web. www.fsdoe.fs.gov.za
GAUTENG:
Tel. 011 355 0000 | Web. www.education.gpg.gov.za
KWAZULU NATAL:
Tel. 033 846 5000 | Web. www.kzneducation.gov.za
LIMPOPO:
Tel. 015 290 7611 | Web. www.edu.limpopo.gov.za
MPUMALANGA:
Tel. 013 766 5000 | Web. www.mpumalanga.gov.za/education
NORTH WEST:
Tel. 018 387 3312 | Web. www.nwpg.gov.za/education
NORTHERN CAPE:
Tel. 053 830 1600 | Web. http://premier.ncpg.gov.za/DoE/
WESTERN CAPE:
Tel. 021 467 2000 | Web. http://wced.wcape.gov.za
PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS:
Yes, it may sound a little “Hollywood”, but in reality, PI’s are the 1st port of call for many parents in cyber-bullying cases – and with GOOD reason. South Africa has some of the world’s finest private investigators, many of whom have extensive experience within the SA judiciary before moving to the private sector. (The trick is to appoint a reputable and trusted investigator, one who is registered with the industry’s regulatory body, and one who comes with valid and up to date testimonials – Please contact the following for more information - The Security Association of South Africa - +27 31 764 6681 or The Security Industry Regulatory Authority +27 12 337 5530.
Private investigators have enjoyed success in terms of countering and resolving South African incidents of cyber-bullying. This is because they work exclusively for their client, and they have the time, the material resources/technology and they can bypass much of the red tape involved with a police investigation. They have numerous contacts within certain industries and will more than likely be able to trace and resolve the cyber-bullying problem for you. Many investigators also have the specialised training needed to complete an investigation 100% and then hand it over to the police as is should prosecution be required. Many local investigators specialise in the investigation of online ‘crime’ such as stalking, bullying, threats, intimidation, blackmail and the sort. The other benefit of using a PI, is that he/she will coordinate the entire process for you, taking the uncertainty out of your hands.**Please ensure that the investigator you appoint comes highly recommended, and is registered**
THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE:
If the bullying takes the form of physical threats, violence, stalking, emotional assault, damage to dignity, blackmail and the sort, the police should be informed. Criminal charges can then be opened, and the police will do the necessary investigations, as well as get hold of the necessary evidence (please be reminded to KEEP all communications on cell phones and PC’s relating to the bullying – this is evidence) The SAPS are obliged to investigate ANY unlawful action, and if you have ANY trouble convincing the police to cooperate, please contact:
SAPS Family Violence,
Child Protection and
Sexual Offences Unit,
Head Office, Pretoria (012) 393-2363
If you need assistance when going to the police, an organisation such as the SA Depression and Anxiety Group could assist you with the entire process, especially of your child is suffering emotionally as a result of the ordeal.
Sa Depression and Anxiety Group: 011 2626396 Emergency - 0800 567 567 or website: http://www.sadag.co.za/
ATTORNEYS:
Attorney’s can certainly be of assistance in terms of civil action against the cyber-bullies. If you have an attorney you can approach, he/she would be able to provide you with sound legal advice with regard to a possible criminal case as well (not only the civil case). An attorney would focus on restraining orders etc.
THE MEDIA:
In cases of bullying, quite a few parents have achieved a relative amount of success in effectively managing and solving their children’s’ online hassles through the media. Please remember that your child would in all probability be horrified at the thought of YOU going public about his/her bullying and the shame that goes with it – so exposing an offender in the media, should NEVER be a 1st resort. It can however be a valuable weapon if no other options are available to you. E.g. you have been ignored by the Dept of Education, the SAPS – and you need a group of cyber bullies from a specific school/area exposed.
EBLOCKWATCH:
Eblockwatch might also assist you, and they have in the past traced and put a stop to certain cyber-bullies through their extensive network. Visit: www.eblockwatch.co.za
The following websites also provide practical information on cyber-bullying in general, and are well worth a visit:
http://www.cyberbullying.ca/
http://prevnet.ca/Bullying/tabid/94/Default.aspx
http://www.bullybeware.com/index.html
http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov
http://www.bullying.org/public/frameset.cfm
NetSmartz.org
http://www.i-safe.org
http://www.wiredsafety.org
The following options are those that ‘could’ lead to a desired outcome for both you and your child. South Africa is sadly still very ill equipped to handle and effectively manage the growing scourge of cyber-bullying. The South African judicial system has as yet, not been at the forefront of any aggressive steps or processes to combat the problem. There are very few precedents and the police too, seem rather reactive in their approach towards cyber-bullying. This will in all probability change in the near future as more incidents are reported and publicised.
However, there ARE options open to you:
THE SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY / DEPT OF EDUCATION:
If; as mentioned previous articles; the cyber-bully is known to your child (most likely) and attends the same school as him/her (most likely), the school and it’s relevant governing body should have disciplinary mechanisms in place to assist you in putting an end to the bullying. Depending on the severity of the misconduct, the cyber-bully could face suspension, expulsion and more. The various sanctions would depend on the specific schools Code of Conduct etc. Should the school NOT seem that eager to assist you, when you feel they ‘could’ possibly resolve the situation (especially if the bullying has moved from cyber space into the school passages) you should contact the relevant Provincial Education Department within your province. Many parents have done this and achieved the desired outcome. Below is a list of the various Provincial departments and their contact numbers.
EASTERN CAPE:
Tel. 040 608 4200 | Web. www.ecdoe.gov.za
FREE STATE:
Tel. 051 404 8000 | Web. www.fsdoe.fs.gov.za
GAUTENG:
Tel. 011 355 0000 | Web. www.education.gpg.gov.za
KWAZULU NATAL:
Tel. 033 846 5000 | Web. www.kzneducation.gov.za
LIMPOPO:
Tel. 015 290 7611 | Web. www.edu.limpopo.gov.za
MPUMALANGA:
Tel. 013 766 5000 | Web. www.mpumalanga.gov.za/education
NORTH WEST:
Tel. 018 387 3312 | Web. www.nwpg.gov.za/education
NORTHERN CAPE:
Tel. 053 830 1600 | Web. http://premier.ncpg.gov.za/DoE/
WESTERN CAPE:
Tel. 021 467 2000 | Web. http://wced.wcape.gov.za
PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS:
Yes, it may sound a little “Hollywood”, but in reality, PI’s are the 1st port of call for many parents in cyber-bullying cases – and with GOOD reason. South Africa has some of the world’s finest private investigators, many of whom have extensive experience within the SA judiciary before moving to the private sector. (The trick is to appoint a reputable and trusted investigator, one who is registered with the industry’s regulatory body, and one who comes with valid and up to date testimonials – Please contact the following for more information - The Security Association of South Africa - +27 31 764 6681 or The Security Industry Regulatory Authority +27 12 337 5530.
Private investigators have enjoyed success in terms of countering and resolving South African incidents of cyber-bullying. This is because they work exclusively for their client, and they have the time, the material resources/technology and they can bypass much of the red tape involved with a police investigation. They have numerous contacts within certain industries and will more than likely be able to trace and resolve the cyber-bullying problem for you. Many investigators also have the specialised training needed to complete an investigation 100% and then hand it over to the police as is should prosecution be required. Many local investigators specialise in the investigation of online ‘crime’ such as stalking, bullying, threats, intimidation, blackmail and the sort. The other benefit of using a PI, is that he/she will coordinate the entire process for you, taking the uncertainty out of your hands.**Please ensure that the investigator you appoint comes highly recommended, and is registered**
THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE:
If the bullying takes the form of physical threats, violence, stalking, emotional assault, damage to dignity, blackmail and the sort, the police should be informed. Criminal charges can then be opened, and the police will do the necessary investigations, as well as get hold of the necessary evidence (please be reminded to KEEP all communications on cell phones and PC’s relating to the bullying – this is evidence) The SAPS are obliged to investigate ANY unlawful action, and if you have ANY trouble convincing the police to cooperate, please contact:
SAPS Family Violence,
Child Protection and
Sexual Offences Unit,
Head Office, Pretoria (012) 393-2363
If you need assistance when going to the police, an organisation such as the SA Depression and Anxiety Group could assist you with the entire process, especially of your child is suffering emotionally as a result of the ordeal.
Sa Depression and Anxiety Group: 011 2626396 Emergency - 0800 567 567 or website: http://www.sadag.co.za/
ATTORNEYS:
Attorney’s can certainly be of assistance in terms of civil action against the cyber-bullies. If you have an attorney you can approach, he/she would be able to provide you with sound legal advice with regard to a possible criminal case as well (not only the civil case). An attorney would focus on restraining orders etc.
THE MEDIA:
In cases of bullying, quite a few parents have achieved a relative amount of success in effectively managing and solving their children’s’ online hassles through the media. Please remember that your child would in all probability be horrified at the thought of YOU going public about his/her bullying and the shame that goes with it – so exposing an offender in the media, should NEVER be a 1st resort. It can however be a valuable weapon if no other options are available to you. E.g. you have been ignored by the Dept of Education, the SAPS – and you need a group of cyber bullies from a specific school/area exposed.
EBLOCKWATCH:
Eblockwatch might also assist you, and they have in the past traced and put a stop to certain cyber-bullies through their extensive network. Visit: www.eblockwatch.co.za
The following websites also provide practical information on cyber-bullying in general, and are well worth a visit:
http://www.cyberbullying.ca/
http://prevnet.ca/Bullying/tabid/94/Default.aspx
http://www.bullybeware.com/index.html
http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov
http://www.bullying.org/public/frameset.cfm
NetSmartz.org
http://www.i-safe.org
http://www.wiredsafety.org