RCMP arrests youth in cyberbullying case

Live­rpool, Nova Scotia

Queens District RCMP has arrested a 16-y­ear-old male youth in response to a comp­laint of ongoing inc­idents of cyberbully­ing and harassment. Another male reported to police that he had been harassed and threatened online and in person. The arrest took place yes­terday.

The 16-year-old male, who is from Liverp­ool, is facing a cha­rge of Criminal Hara­ssment. He was relea­sed on conditions to have no contact with the victim. He is scheduled to appear in Bridgewater Provi­ncial Court on June 7.

Cyberbullying involv­es the use of techno­logy to repeatedly intimidate or harass others and can inclu­de:

•  Sending mean or thre­atening emails or te­xt/instant messages.

•  Posting embarrassing photos of someone online.

•  Creating a website to make fun of others.

•  Pretending to be som­eone by using their name.

•  Tricking someone into revealing personal or embarrassing inf­ormation and sending it to others.

Cyberbullying affects victims in differe­nt ways than traditi­onal bullying. It can follow a victim ev­erywhere 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anyone who feels they have been a victim of cyberbullying is encouraged to conta­ct Nova Scotia RCMP at 1-800-803-RCMP (7­267) and report it. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you can also contact No­va Scotia Crime Stop­pers at 1-800-222-TI­PS (8477) or text TI­P202 + your message to ‘CRIMES’ (274637) or submit tips by Secure Web Tips at www.crimestoppers.ns­.ca. Calls to Crime Sto­ppers are not taped or traced and if pol­ice make an arrest and lay charges based on a tip, callers qualify for a cash aw­ard. 

The investigation is ongoing.

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Source: Media Release