Internet anonymity often makes prosecution so difficult that the victim finds themselves without recourse. Extensive cooperation is needed between social media sites
NJ 12-year-old's suicide a plea for cyber-bullying law: GOP candidate Heather Darling
On June 14, when many Americans honor the adoption of the American Flag on July 14, 1777, a 12-year-old gymnast is believed to have ended her own life after her mother on that day urged officials at the child's school to clamp down on Internet bullies. The suicide is being investigated although the young girl's mother hasn't said bullying played a role in the incident. But the GOP candidate for Morris County Freeholder wants more than just talk about the serious and growing problem of bullying on the worldwide web.
"Cyber bullying is a crime that can be committed anonymously and the messages can be impossible to trace and delete," said Roxbury, New Jersey, attorney Heather Darling who is favored to win her bid for Freeholder. "While the bully is safely hiding behind fake accounts, the victim is left to deal with the fallout of the posted statements or images including substantial ridicule from peers. Once posted the images or statements often spread quickly online and the victim is faced with the reality that anyone they encounter may have seen the posted material," said the Seton Hall School of Law graduate.
