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<p /> <p>The sending of abusive messages or material online can cause misery for
victims and is an issue the Government takes extremely seriously.</p><p> </p><p>That
is why we are changing the law through the Criminal Justice and Courts Act to increase
the maximum sentence to two years in prison for the offence of sending abusive or
offensive material online with intent to cause distress or anxiety.</p><p> </p><p>We
are also changing the law to enable prosecutions to take place three years after the
alleged offence, rather than six months.</p><p> </p><p>There are a number of other
serious penalties available in cases of cyber bullying of students.</p><p> </p><p>Under
the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, the offences of harassment causing alarm
or distress or putting people in fear of violence carry a maximum of six months and
five years imprisonment respectively.</p><p> </p><p>There is also an offence under
the Malicious Communications Act 1988 of sending material which is indecent, grossly
offensive, obscene or menacing. It carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment.</p><p>
</p><p>In addition, guidelines issued by the independent Sentencing Council stipulate
that it is an aggravating factor if an offence is committed against a vulnerable victim
or involves abuse of a position of power. Sentencing guidelines can be found on the
Sentencing Council’s website, and courts are obliged to follow the guidelines unless
it is not in the interests of justice to do so.</p>
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