Amidst a digital era of victimisation on social media platforms and technology related abuse, The West Midlands Police Crime Commission bring issues like online sexual harm and ‘anti-social media’ to the limelight.
The story of a daughter lost to anti social media
Speaking at the summit in the Aston Villa FC, Ian Russell, whose daughter, Molly Rose Russell, took her own life after viewing self-harm and suicide content on a social media platform, said:
He said,
“There were no obvious signs of illness or anguish”.
However, he found:
“Her social media accounts, there was anti-social media content of harrowing suicide media content”.
Ian Russell criticised the inaction of some social media platforms to remove harmful content saying:
“As long as those posts are still there it will continue to affect people like Molly”
“Its time for law enforcement agencies to get better access to social media for investigation”
Following the details of Molly’s death being revealed in November 2017, Instagram announced it banned graphic self-harming content in February 2019.
The assistant West Midlands Police Crime Commissioner, Waheed Saleem lead a line of speakers including Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales Dame Vera Baird, Elizabeth Yardley Professor of Criminology at Birmingham City University, Angela Apparicio who works at Victim Support and Natalie Thompson, the CEO of CRASAC.
As well as Martha Kirby Policy Manager for Child Safety Online for NSPCC, Emma Pickering who works for Violence against Women and Girls and Ian Russell who established The Molly Rose Foundation.
The WCC invited victim organisations like Victim Support, The Bully Effect and CRASAC (Coventry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre) to open up about crimes such as cyber-bullying, stalking and online sexual abuse at the Victim Summit 2020.
The assistant PCC Waheed Saleem said:
“I will be launching an review into the vulnerable victims on the 4th March, where we will look at how the West Midlands Police is responding to domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking,”
He hopes the review will provide “a better, consistent approach to the victims journey.”
Anisah Vasta Reports
anisah journalist 