Student Attention!

Coco’s Law

Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill

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What is Coco’s Law?

Coco’s Law is aimed at criminalising the distribution of intimate images without consent and online bullying. These actions can now be prosecuted by either a fine or imprisonment. It has been put in place to protect people online and prevent harmful abuse by bullies.

Who is Coco?

Nicole Fox Fenlon was a 21-year-old girl known as Coco to her friends and family. In 2018, she took her life after being bullied online. Her mother, Jackie Fox, revealed that she had been a victim of online abuse since she was 18. Jackie Fox has been campaigning to criminalise online abuse since her daughter’s death.

What are the consequences to online abuse?

The law provides that any person who distributes intimate images, sends harmful messages, harasses or interferes with a person’s privacy online , then they can be punished with up to a €5,000 fine and/or up to 7 years imprisonment.

Here at John The Baptist Community school we have a zero tolerance policy for bullying. We also have various supports for our students which can be seen here on our website. Please remember that people can be seriously harmed by bullying so it is important to create a safe environment online.

Link to the Minister of Justice Helen McEntee’s tweet.