Report cyberbullying to police
Social crime prevention officers at police stations aim to tackle cybercrimes, bullying, domestic violence, and personal safety.
Spending time online has become all but unavoidable, with some finding it easy to hide behind their screens.
The anonymity means that many teens may fall victim to cyberbullying, with some reports indicating that students are almost twice as likely to attempt suicide if they have been bullied online.
This is where the social crime prevention officers (CPO) at SAPS stations come in, says Tshwane SAPS spokesperson, Johan van Dyk.
CPOs are tasked with visiting schools in their respective policing areas.
“They are responsible for visiting the schools and presenting school talks on various topics, such as cybercrime, bullying, rape, domestic violence, personal safety and other topics,” Van Dyk told Rekord.
“They take hands with the schools to provide a safe environment for all the learners, and they do unannounced school searches for drugs and dangerous weapons.”
Cyberbullying can include sending offensive texts, spreading rumours on social media, repeatedly calling and hanging up, and other types of harmful online behaviours.
“CPOs also assist in opening cases at schools,” said Van Dyk.
Van Dyk warned that criminal charges can be opened, depending on what was said in conversations.
“Crimen injuria, for instance, where a person’s character is targeted.”
He advised parents to be aware of what is happening on their children’s phones and take note of any behavioural changes their children might exhibit.
If a parent suspected that their child has become a victim of cyberbullying, Van Dyk suggested they keep the messages and print them out so that they can be used as evidence.
Sometimes cyberbullying can take place in groups where members are scattered across the country, but Van Dyk said that cases can be opened at any police station in South Africa.
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