Cyberbullying (Internet harassment)

Cyberbullying is carried out via the internet (on a social network, a forum, a multiplayer video game, a blog, etc.). These may be publications on a online platform public (for example, a forum) or private exchanges (for example, on the private messaging of a social network).

The cyberbullying may take several forms:

• One moral harassment on the internet which consists in intimidating and humiliating the victim by insulting messages, mockery, threats, etc.
• One school bullying on the internet when a student is subjected to humiliation, bullying or rumors by a student or teacher in the school. For example, it may be the publication of discriminatory remarks on a student's “Instagram” account.
• One sexual harassment on the internet which manifests itself by sending the victim messages, photographs, videos or video montages to sexual connotation or sexist. These may include sexual photos of the victim, pornographic videos showing strangers etc.

Cyberbullying still requires a repetition facts (for example, a person posts daily insult messages on the victim's “Facebook” wall).

So that this infringement be retained, it is also necessary that the acts committed:

• Caused a deterioration of the victim's living conditions
• Or violated the dignity of the victim
• Or creates a situation that is intimidating, hostile or offensive to the victim.

This offense may be committed by:

• One person, who acts repeatedly
• Or by a group of people, without each of them having acted repeatedly.

You can determine the nature of the attack you are the victim of using the diagnostic tool put online by the public interest group “Action Contre la Cybermalveillance”:

Tool for diagnosing a case of cyber malware

The victim of cyberharassment must gather as much evidence as possible of these facts. These may include:

• Screenshots (for example, images sent by private message)
• Copying emails
• Audio or video recordings
• From a witness certificate (with their full identity)
• A medical certificate
• Of a handrail previously filed against the harasser.

In any case, the victim must be as precise as possible: all these documents must be dated.

This evidence is essential to carry out a reporting or if the victim wants to drop off complaint. They will be taken into account by the competent services, even if the cyberharassment took place for several years.

Several devices allow the deletion of illegal content published on the Internet. First, a victim or witness of cyberbullying may report the content unlawful law enforcement or the host of the site or the platform concerned. In addition, it is possible to request the de-referencing of a publication.

To incur the criminal liability of the perpetrator of the acts or the internet host, the victim must file a complaint against one of them (or against the two).

Following the complaint, an investigation will be conducted and those responsible may be prosecuted in criminal courts. If they are found guilty, they can be sentenced.

If she wishes, the victim may obtain the assistance of a lawyer who will accompany him from the filing of the complaint until the trial before the court. correctional court.