I thank both the Mercury and the Sunday Tasmanian for their generous support of my campaign for Chloe’s Law, including support for our petition, our rally, and our ongoing determination to address the issue of bullying.
On behalf of my team at Chloe’s Law, I applaud Tasmania’s Attorney General, the Hon Doctor Vanessa Goodwin, on her announcement that she will make toughening cyber bullying laws a top priority for the Liberal State Government.
Bullying, including cyber-bullying, is known to cause significant harm, including school or work absenteeism, mental illness and suicide.
We are not interested in criminalizing the relatively naïve actions of minors, but we also believe that all people, even minors, should be held accountable for their actions, especially where those actions can have such serious consequences.
It is possible to find a balance between the desire not to criminalize minors and the urgent need to address the issue of bullying. Jan Baker’s article (Mercury April 6 2014) makes some useful suggestions, and Dr Colette Langos of the University of South Australia has also written extensively on the issue.
In the case of cyber bullying, extensive research carried out by Dr Langos has clearly demonstrated that it is possible to legislate for penalties for cyber-bullying without over-reaching into reasonable freedom of expression or criminalizing minor matters.
We therefore welcome Dr Goodwin’s decision to refer the matter to the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute for consideration, with all confidence that research and careful consideration will lead to best practice laws.
We believe that most bullying, including cyber-bullying, is best dealt with under uniform laws across all states and territories, and we will continue to work towards that goal.
I personally shall not rest until that goal is achieved.
Cassie Whitehill
CEO/Founder
Chloe’s Law Australia
www.facebook.com/ChloesLawAust
www.chloeslaw.com.au
Cassie Whitehill CEO/Founder Chloe’s Law Australia
