watched a programme on megan’s law.
and wondered whether there really is a law in uk/scotland, against cyber harrassment and lo and behold there is.
CyberBullying and the Law in The United Kingdom:
There are four United Kingdom Acts (The Protection from Harassment Act 1997, The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, The Malicious Communication Act 1998 and The Communication Act 2003) plus one Scottish common law (Breach of Peace) that include IT use in relation to bullying.
The legal definition of cyberbullying in the UK alludes to several laws. Under the Malicious Communication Act, the offence is punished by up to six months imprisonment and/or fine.
These Acts are concerned with adult cases of cyber-harassment but it has to be noted here that the age of criminal responsibility in Scotland is 12, therefore if an offence happens between school children, the Breach of Peace has it covered.
and……
Section 1 of the Act covers the sending to another of any letters, electronic communications, photographs and recordings that are indecent, grossly offensive or which convey a threat (which may be false), provided there is an intention on the part of the sender to cause distress or anxiety to the person who receives them.
The offence refers to the sending, delivering or transmitting, there is no requirement for the communication to reach (or be read by) the person who is intended to read it.
A person who is found guilty of an offence under section 1 of the Act can receive a maximum prison sentence of six months, a fine of £5000 or both.