New Zealand Parliament to Pass New Cyber Bullying Bill After Roast Busters Expose
The New Zealand Parliament is set to introduce a bill to put an end to cyber bullying of groups like Roast Busters. Authorities investigating the group said Roast Busters has bragged of having sex with drunk and young girls since 2011. After doing the deeds, the group will then post the names on a Facebook page and shame them.
The act of naming and shaming the girls is labeled as "roasting" by the Roast Busters. The group urges other young men to join the "roast."
According to Justice Minister Judith Collins, the introduction of the Harmful Communications Bill sends a strong message to cyber bullies who continuously harass and shame others online that they will face sanctions.
Ms Collins said that cyber bullying can have a devastating impact to a person's life. The Harmful Communications Bill in New Zealand will help protect potential victims and hold suspected groups and individuals responsible for their actions.
The proposed bill will also include the creation of a new civil enforcement regime. Victims of cyber bullying may also complain to the District Court. The court will then issue a take-down order of pictures or other content related to the victim if necessary.
The Parliament hopes the new bill will provide people with a legislative remedy to request the removal of harmful content posted in Web sites and social networks. Cyber bullies in New Zealand will also have to think twice in sending messages and posting media online with the intention of causing harm. They will risk persecution.
The Harmful Communications Bill also seeks to create a new offence of incitement to commit suicide. Reports have surfaced regarding teens committing suicide due to cyber bullying in Facebook.
Meanwhile, a new vigilante group has promised justice for all the victims of the Roast Busters. New Zealand authorities have said they don't have the power to persecute a group of boys in Auckland who bragged online about their sexual encounters with drunk teenage girls then shaming them on social media.
According to reports, at least one of the girls who fell in the hands of the Roast Busters had attempted to commit suicide. Detective Inspector Bruce Scott said the police had thoroughly investigated the group's actions, but there was nothing more the police can do unless one of the victims will make an official complaint and take it to court.
The police's "helplessness" has led some online groups to bring justice to the victims. The vigilante group has offered a "4k reward for footage of Roastbusters getting hidings." However, the group said it doesn't encourage violence but only wants the footage in exchange for payment.
The vigilante group prefers the video to be in HD format. It also posted that those who want to help may spread the word about the reward to raise awareness. One man reportedly received a call from gang members, expressing their interest to get involved in finding the culprits.
The anonymous man said he knew "angry fathers" who want to give their own brand of justice and apprehend the Roast Busters.
New Zealand police are expected to make a statement regarding the rise of vigilante behaviour.