The Nova Scotia government has posted ads for five investigators who will form the first Cyber SCAN unit in Canada.
The unit will investigate all complaints of cyberbullying, whether the victim is a minor or an adult, and will work closely with schools on complaints involving students.
"Cyberbullies have been tormenting others for too long, knowing it was unlikely that they would get caught or be held accountable for their actions," said Justice Minister Ross Landry. "The Cyber SCAN unit will take action against cyberbullies and help victims and their families fight back."
Landry has already appointed Roger Merrick as the unit’s director. Merrick is a police officer who has managed investigative units and is currently the director of public safety investigations at the provincial Justice Department.
"This unit will be a place where people who are getting bullied online can get help," said Merrick. "Investigators will travel across the province and work with victims, families, schools and others to investigate complaints and help stop cyberbullying."
Investigators will have the power to seek a cyberbullying prevention order, after which the court may order a person to stop communicating online or confiscate technology used for cyberbullying.
If criminal charges appear to be warranted, the unit will refer the case to police.
"Our primary goal is to stop the cyberbullying," said Merrick. "We hope most complaints will be resolved simply by making the person doing the cyberbullying aware of the harm they are causing and the possible consequences."
The unit is governed by the Cyber Safety Act which was passed in the spring after several high-profile cases of cyberbullying in Nova Scotia, including the death of 17-year-old Rehtaeh Parsons
The unit is expected to be in operation in the fall.
