And from whom do you think we novices learned these tactics? When it comes to bullying, threats, viciousness, lies and deception, Jackie wears the crown. WE are still in the infancy stage. She's even been known to turn on her fellow supporters. Believe me, she's not in need of your support.
I have screenshot everything
Trolling
The Internet has made a publisher of the man on the Clapham Omnibus and the rise of social media has opened up communication across the globe. Unfortunately, some people use these platforms as means of inciting unwanted, often circular, arguments, launching repeated baseless attacks and monitoring people’s activity without their consent.
Over the years we have helped thousands of public figures, HNWIs and professionals who have suffered from harassment. Our highly-regarded media and communications law department is unique because all our solicitors work exclusively in this field. This means that our clients receive the best possible advice and representation.
Those who behave abusively online are referred to as internet trolls, and examples of ‘trolling’ include: -
Posting repeated ‘comments’ on message boards or news articles, attacking someone’s
character and/or invading their privacy, or designed to provoke argument
Repeatedly sending abusive or otherwise upsetting Tweets
‘Following’ a person into online chatrooms or Facebook in order to interrupt conversations
and invade their privacy
Trolls sometimes labour under the misapprehension that they can say and do what they want online. Alternatively, they may take the view that they can get away with it (perhaps by disguising their identity).
Everyone has a right to enjoy what this world has to offer without fear of attack – and that extends to the World Wide Web. Under the law of England and Wales, any course of conduct (two or more incidents) designed to cause a person alarm or distress, or where the perpetrator ought to know that is the likely outcome, is harassment. It is a defence for the perpetrator to show that their conduct was reasonable, but with ‘trolling’ this will rarely be the case.
Harassment is a criminal offence contrary to the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and punishable by up to six months’ imprisonment. Victims should consider whether they wish to make a report to the Police. Unfortunately, however, the Police are often overstretched and under-resourced, and online crime of this nature is sometimes not seen as a priority. In those circumstances you may want to take civil action against the person concerned.
Our trolling solicitors can help you by: –
Writing a Letter of Claim, or ‘cease and desist’ letter, to the person responsible
Issuing a Claim for harassment
Securing an interim or post-Judgment injunction prohibiting the behaviour complained of
Persuading third parties such as website operators or hosts to remove offending material
Making representations (where appropriate) to the Police or Crown Prosecution Service
that an investigation or prosecution should be commenced
We may be able to help you even where the perpetrator is anonymous – see our page on Norwich Pharmacal Orders.
