Planned law won’t address underlying issue

Introducing a Bill on cyber-bullying just days after shocking revelations of predatory sexual behaviour being posted on social media is a hopelessly trivial response to a much more serious issue, Labour’s Justice spokesperson Andrew Little says.

Justice minister Judith Collins today confirmed the government would now introduce its cyber-bullying Bill which it first talked about some months ago.

In the meantime, news has emerged of predatory gangs of boys stupefying girls, some under the age of 16, and having sex with them. Police say they are unable to take action until a complaint is laid.

“People are outraged at revelations around this behaviour, and alarmed at the fact that the police seem unable to bring anyone to book for it.

“The Law Commission has reported before on the handling of sex offences and even as recently as March this year recommended changes in the law of evidence in sexual offence cases to make it easier for victims to come forward without fear of humiliation.

“John Key’s claim that posting videos on Facebook would be illegal under the new law will be cold comfort to the young women involved.

“The victims of the predatory gangs in Auckland haven’t just been ‘cyber-bullied’, they’ve been offended against in the worst way imaginable and the law doesn’t seem to offer any safeguard.

“This is the issue screaming out for attention. There has been plenty of work done, so coming up with some well-thought out responses shouldn’t be too hard.

“Dealing with cyber-bullying won’t stop the underlying offending in this situation – which is alcohol-fuelled preying on girls and young women.

“Labour will take up the recommendations of the Law Commission and also look at the way evidence in sexual offence prosecutions is given so that the maximum protection is provided to the victim.”

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