Labour MP says cyber bullying should be monitored by ruling body

Labour MP Deborah Schembri, one of the spokespersons for the Anti-Cyber Harassment Alliance, said this afternoon that the ACHA was proposing an "efficient" ruling body that would be "quick to respond" to cases of cyber-bullying and cyber-harassment.

She said that laws which are already in place against such acts of aggression should be revisited and, if need be, strengthened.

The Anti-Cyber Harassment Alliance is a coalition of individuals working to raise awareness about and encourage legislation against cyber-harassment and cyber-stalking in Malta. It aims to encourage policy-makers to address cyber-harassment and cyber-stalking through the strengthening and rationalizing of existing legislation in order to ensure that these forms of aggression are looked upon as criminal offences.

Schembri said that technology is good but only if used "in the right manner", adding that such acts are more common than most people think.

"Cyber-bullying and cyber-harassment are issues which affect children and adults alike. In some cases, for instance, children leave the trauma of being bullied at school only to return to that same scenario at home, a place which should serve as a place of relaxation for them. Cyber-bullying is almost worse because, whereas at school there is a limit on the number of people that can witness the act of bullying unfold, the internet has an almost limitless audience," she said.

Schembri said that there were many adults who suffer from online harassment, most commonly in cases of separation or divorce.

"Our goal is to meet with policy-makers and any other interested parties in order to strengthen the legislation on such acts in this country," the Labour MP said.

Schembri said that the ACHA was currently meeting and discussing with "possible interested parties". The aim, Schembri said, was to garner as much support and feedback that they could get.

"We just had a positive meeting with the Nationalist Party, in which we received some very positive feedback. They informed us that they were ready to work with us on the matter and I look forward to more meetings with them, as well as other stakeholders," she said.

Schembri said that ACHA was hoping to organise a seminar in the coming weeks with possible stake-holders such as parliamentarians, members of the police force, and teachers.