Online abuse guidance being drafted after Deputy targeted

Wednesday 03 March 2021

The Chief Minister has requested that new guidance be drawn up regarding online abuse to provide more clarity to the authorities and victims, weeks after a Deputy was targeted with a covid death threat online.

Deputy Inna Gardiner reported the remark last month to the Police, who said they were investigating.

Days later, she said the individual had been in touch to apologise. 

Deputy Gardiner - who last week participated in a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meeting looking at online harms, alongside Deputy Louise Doublet - asked the Chief Minister yesterday if there were any plans to introduce enhanced legislation regarding online safety, including measures to address cyber abuse, cyberbullying and trolling. 

Dear all, thank you for the support you sent me over the last 5 days.
It was a clear indication of your condemnation of social media abuse.
I have received an apology and therefore will remove previous message and all references to it from my social media.

— Inna Gardiner (@innagardiner) February 16, 2021

Urging all States Members to condemn such abuse, Senator John Le Fondré went on to say that there were already laws in place to address abuse, including cyberbullying, and that the police have the power to prosecute where appropriate.

He added that the legislation had been updated in 2016 in light of rapidly evolving technology and consumer behaviour.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister added, his Assistant Chief Minister, Deputy Rowland Huelin, has also been looking at online safety. 

Safe online space is good for all https://t.co/amNsP33q3Z

— Inna Gardiner (@innagardiner) February 26, 2021

“The preliminary conclusion of his work is that everyone including the police, potential victims and potential offenders could benefit from greater clarity regarding what is legal or illegal, the recourse that victims have, and the consequences perpetrators could face,” Senator Le Fondré said. 

He then went on to say he was in the process of instructing civil servants to work in consultation with the Police and the Law Officers’ Department to put in place new guidance “designed to offer greater clarity and certainty and therefore greater protection to islanders”.

Senator Le Fondré said he hoped the guidance would help islanders understand their rights and abilities under the law.

Pictured: The Chief Minister has asked officers to work in consultation with the Police and the Law Officers’ Department to put in place new guidance for cyber abuse.

He added that Deputy Jess Perchard is working on a separate project focusing on social media and young people, in parallel with Deputy Huelin’s work.