Assignment:
In this comprehensive paper, critically assess the correlation between cyberbullying victimization, victim compensation, and offender criminal / civil liability using the following scenario.
Based on the scenario below, is Mandi's mother entitled to compensation under YOUR current state's victim compensation laws? Should school officials be held liable under existing criminal and/or civil laws? Explain your reasoning. Should the local police department be held liable under existing criminal and/or civil laws? Explain your reasoning. Lastly, should the parents of the adolescents accused of sending the hurtful messages to Mandi be held liable under existing criminal and/or civil laws? Explain your reasoning.
Mandi is a 14-year old girl who just moved to a middle-class suburban community due to her single mother having to relocate due to her employer. Mandi's mother enrolled her in the local high school where she initially thrived, but in recent months, she has been ridiculed in school by some of her classmates that she assumed were her friends and whom she shared personal stories. In response, Mandi's mother contacted school officials who verbally warned her classmates in a schoolwide announcement that bullying of any kind will not be tolerated due to the school's zero-tolerance policy against bullying.
The situation seemed to be under control for about a month with no overt signs of bullying while in school; however, things took a rapid turn when Mandi received an anonymous message on social media ridiculing her physical appearance along several sexually suggestive comments that were particularly hurtful. The message quickly spread amongst her peers and soon thereafter, additional messages started to appear on a number of social media platforms commonly used by adolescents. Mandi's mother went to school officials to file a complaint. School administrators attempted to address the situation through email blasts to students, faculty, and parents about the dangers and possible ramifications of cyberbullying, but those responsible for sending the messages did not heed the barrage of warnings, so Mandi's mother went to the local police department.
The local department attempted to look into the matter, but unfortunately being a relatively small police department, they lacked the resources and knowledge to proceed with a thorough investigation. One afternoon on her way home from school, Mandi received a particularly heinous message telling her that this entire ordeal could end if she killed herself. Several hours later, Mandi was found unresponsive by her mother. She had used a belt to hang herself in her bedroom.