Maria Miller MP for Basingstoke and Chair of Women and Equalities has today called on the Government to create a proper strategy to tackle online abuse during House of Commons debate ‘Online Abuse'.
Maria and Simon Hart MP secured a debate in the floor of the House on Thursday 7 July, the motion for the debate reads "That this House notes the increasing number of cases where the internet, social media and mobile phone technology are used to bully, harass, intimidate and humiliate individuals including children and vulnerable adults; calls on the Government to ensure clear legislation is in place that recognises the true impact and nature of online abuse (as distinct to offline abuse); and puts in place appropriate legal sanctions (including criminal), police training, CPS guidance and appropriate education for young people.”
Maria said “Without digital connectivity our lives would be poorer but we must make sure that internet is a force for good not for ill. Half of all crimes committed in this country have a digital component. Online abuse affects everyone and the police is overwhelmed by the scale and diversity of abuse.
The Government needs to create a proper strategy to reject online abuse in all its forms, show it zero tolerance through our legal systems, our police force and through the things we teach our children in schools."
Follow the debate from 11.30 am by visiting http://parliamentlive.tv/Commons. To read the debate in the Hansard visit https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/.