Independent report

Abusive and Offensive Online Communications: A Scoping Report

The Law Commission published its Scoping Report on Abusive and Offensive Online Communications on 1 November 2018.

• From: Law Commission
• Published: 1 November 2018

Documents

Abusive and Offensive Online Communications: A Scoping Report

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-0848-0, HC 1682

PDF, 7.89 MB, 358 pages

Order a copy

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email web.comments@justice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

Reforms to the law are required to protect victims from online and social media-based abuse, according to a new Report by the Law Commission for England and Wales.

In its Scoping Report assessing the state of the law in this area, published on 1st November 2018, the Law Commission raises concerns about the lack of coherence in the current criminal law and the problems this causes for victims, police and prosecutors. It is also critical of the current law’s ability to protect people harmed by a range of behaviour online including:

• Receiving abusive and offensive communications
• “Pile on” harassment, often on social media
• Misuse of private images and information

The Commission is calling for:

• reform and consolidation of existing criminal laws dealing with offensive and abusive communications online
• a specific review considering how the law can more effectively protect victims who are subject to a campaign of online harassment
• a review of how effectively the criminal law protects personal privacy online

Find out more on the Law Commission website

Published 1 November 2018