State Sen. Heather Steans and lesbian state Rep. Kelly Cassidy collaborated on a presentation May 23 about combatting cyberbullying for parents and community members.
Det. Alan Krok, a member of the Chicago Police Department Special Investigation Unit and of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, led the presentation at Sullivan High School in Rogers Park. He routinely investigates cases of cyberbullying, child porn operations and online sexual predators.
There aren't many laws targeted at cyberbullying, but Krok has charged people with harassment by electronic means. Usually cases escalate once threats are involved, and Krok will make arrests if the harassment doesn't stop.
"There are no laws against talking stupid, but there are laws against threats," said Krok. "Be careful. What you post can get you in trouble."
In one case Krok worked on, a boy was being harassed by a peer who made fake Facebook accounts and posted comments calling him gay. His fellow students piled on with additional hurtful comments, with the harassment continuing at school. Finally, the boy called Krok to tell him he couldn't bear the bullying any longer and he was going to kill himself.
"When you're online saying this stuff, you don't see the person on the other end crying," said Krok. "It's the message we give to kids in the first grade. It's the golden rule—'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'"
"These are not bad kids at all. Bullying has gone on forever. They're just taking advantage of the technology," said Krok.
To combat cyberbullying, Krok urged parents to familiarize themselves with the technology, what websites their children visit and who they interact with on the internet.
"This is nothing more than honing parenting skills," said Krok. "Communication is paramount. Don't think of the internet as a babysitter."
If someone is experiencing harassment, Krok recommends saving all the messages and contacting law enforcement.
Staff members for the senator and representative discussed anti-bullying legislation and the concerns of parents, urging them to contact their offices if they need anything.
Cassidy introduced House Bill 5290 to bolster the state's anti-bullying code by creating model policies for schools in 2013. The House approved the measure, but it failed in the Senate May 22.
The bill is an amendment to current anti-bullying legislation that would mandate education, emotional support, counseling and other community-based solutions intended to address root causes of bullying.
"The bill was raised in the Senate as 'part of the homosexual agenda.' The things people said on the Senate floor were disgusting," said Matt Muir, district office director for Kelly Cassidy. "But prospects look good. We were only down by one vote."
However, the anti-bullying bill is not dead; it has just been postponed. The Senate could vote on it again this week before the legislative session ends, according to Muir. It could also be voted on again during the veto session near the end of the term, when the legislature meets to consider overriding vetoes by the governor.
"The bill is just one vote shy of the required majority, and it is likely Sen. Steans will try again before the session ends in the next week," according to a statement passed out at the event.
"Obviously, cyberbullying is becoming a pretty big issue with the rise of Facebook and other sites," said Muir. "This is something really important to Kelly and Heather, and we'll keep pushing on it."
