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3.9 Deputy T.M. Pitman of the Minister for Home Affairs regarding cyber-bullying complaints:
Since the appointment of a specialist officer to investigate cyber-bullying, how many complaints, if any, have been passed to that officer for investigation and how many cases, if any, have resulted in charges being brought?
Senator B.I. Le Marquand (The Minister for Home Affairs):
The new internet investigator has not yet commenced employment, they will commence employment on 31st January 2014 but, to give to the Assembly some idea of the size of the issue here, I am able to say that in the last 6 months the States of Jersey Police have recorded 7 criminal reports of either harassment or bullying over the internet. Of the 7 allegations, in one case it was cited that an offence was not established, in 3 the alleged offender received words of advice from the police, in 2 others harassment notices were served and one offender was subsequently charged with the offence of harassment. I give that just by way of flavour over the last 6 months.
- Deputy T.M. Pitman:
Yesterday evening I took the unusual step of writing to the Chief of Police about a death threat sent to my own website. I have not been invited on BBC to complain about it, but my question to the Minister for Home Affairs is this: many individuals have made complaints to the police about the same individual again and again and again; yesterday I was contacted by a young woman who is being harassed by this individual, the same individual I referred to earlier. Can the Minister for Home Affairs give us assurances that in fact some individuals are not protected by someone within the police because the individual in question claims that he is protected? Can he give us some assurances that that is not happening?
Senator B.I. Le Marquand:
It would be quite wrong for an individual to be protected in some way by the police, that would be totally and utterly inappropriate and contrary to policy and I would be very disturbed if that were so, in fact, if it were so, I would consider that to be a disciplinary matter.
- Deputy M.R. Higgins:
Would the Minister for Home Affairs be surprised to hear that this particular individual is bragging about his protection from the police and the authorities over the internet and, if that is the case and he is bragging he is sure about it, will the Minister for Home Affairs not look into the matter?
Senator B.I. Le Marquand:
No, it is not a matter for the Minister for Home Affairs to look into because we are talking about operational matters, but if the Deputy would furnish me with information and details, I will pass that on to the Chief Officer to be looked at appropriately.
- Deputy T.M. Pitman:
I will be very careful what I say because I do not want to be accused of making a gratuitous attack, so no names, but does it not concern the Minister for Home Affairs?
[10:45]
Will he look into it when I pass it on to the police that this particular individual in the last week has been bragging that he receives confidential information to attack a member of the public, directly from a sitting Member of this Assembly?
Senator B.I. Le Marquand:
If that information will be provided to me in a form that I can pass on to the police, I will most certainly do so.