Pat's Answer

To Pat / 25 May 2019

Topic: Online Bullying

Your Question

Today while uptown with my friends, one of them showed me a video of one of the guys is my year showing his bare butt. I don’t know what to do, I am worried that he will regret what he posted up. It has already been shared 15 times, meaning that is has already been spread and will be hard to completely get rid of. The fact that I was told by a friend isn’t a good sign, it probably means that everyone in my year will see it at some point. I’m worried that he will regret it and feel humiliated or that he will be targeted online. I know you will probably tell to to tell my school, but they do nothing, nothing at all, especially on these kinds of matters. I don’t want him to be sexually harassed or bullied. My school allowed me to be threatened to be raped and then blamed me for “ruining his reputation” when I told him to leave me alone. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know whether I should speak to him about it because I don’t want to come across as weird or creepy, but I think that I should do it anyway. Should I try convince him to take the video down? Or does he have the right to make these kinds of decisions? I just don’t want anybody to get hurt, please help.

From Pat / 24 July 2019

Answer

Hi, you’re welcome to Ask Pat.

It seems as though a lot has been happening for you. It’s completely normal for you to feel worried about a friend, and it seems as though you have thought a lot about talking to him.

We would be concerned to hear that this video was posted online as it’s against the law to post nude images of a person under the age of 18.  We are also concerned to hear that you feel that you didn’t get support when you were threatened to be raped.  You have a right to be safe and to be protected.

Everyone has the right to talk about how they’re feeling and their thoughts, and to get help and support. We wonder do you have an adult that you trust to talk to about this with, they might be able to help you decide what’s best for you to do, like a teacher, or a parent or another family member.

You are also always welcome to come and chat with us. You can call Childline anytime on 1800 66 66 66, or between 10am – 4am you can text us on 50101, or chat with us on the Childline website.

Take Care, Pat.

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