New Cyberbullying Legislation Allows Victims To Sue

New legislation in Nova Scotia, Canada, will allow victims of cyberbulling to sue and seek court-ordered protection from their attackers.

According to Global News, this new law, which includes a first-in-Canada investigation unit, is part of Nova Scotia’s new Cyber-Safety Act introduced in April following the death of 17-year-old Rehtaeh Parsons.

Justice Minister Ross Landry said, “”Too many young people and their families are being hurt by cyberbullies.”

The report continues on to say the legislation allows victims to apply for protection orders to place restrictions on, or identify, the cyberbully.

Landry had the following to say:

“I committed to families that the province would work with them to better protect our children and young people. Court orders, and the ability to sue, are more tools that help put a stop to this destructive behavior.”

“This sends a clear message, cyberbullying is a serious act with serious consequences. Think before you text.”

Rehtaeh’s father, Glen Canning called the new legislation “a step in the right direction,” according to CBC News.

The Huffington Post reported Canning saying the following:

“We’ve really got to get people on the ground taking it seriously. I think, unfortunately, it took my daughter’s death for that to happen. You just can’t ignore these issues anymore. They’re deadly issues.”

CBC News stated that if the cyberbullies are minors, the new legislation allows victims to the bully’s parents responsible.

Cannings believes that making parents accountable for their children’s actions is a step that is “long, long, long overdue.”

“Kids aren’t getting contracts with cellphone companies or Internet service providers. These are in their parents’ names and their parents should be responsible for how these are being used.”

The Huffington Post reported that the new legislation also allows for the creation of an investigative unit that consists of five people dedicated to perusing and penalizing cyberbullies.

It doesn’t matter if the cyberbullyis a minor or an adult, they will all be accountable for their actions

Landry said the unit will be up and running in September.

What do you think of this new cyberbullying legislation in Canada?

[Image via Shutterstock/Lurin]