Online abuse from person in another country

jimmurt

Hi,

In a bit of a situation here.

An ex of mine who lives in Australia has found a photo of me with a female friend.

She uploaded the pic of my friend to some sort of porn/call-girl/webcam website and wrote a really bad profile basically saying she´s looking for men to do x, y, z.

My ex actually emailed me to say she done this along with the screenshot.
She told me she has subsequently taken it down but she´s constantly at stuff like this and I´ve had enough.

What are my rights here? I want to talk to a criminal lawyer to have something done, as it´s only going to get worse. Next time it could be my family.

What´s the best way to go about this? Do I need to contact a lawyer or police in Australia?

Peregrinus

Yes, you do. In the state where your ex lives.

jimmurt

Peregrinus wrote: »

Yes, you do. In the state where your ex lives.

Sorry, can you elaborate. Would I betetr off starting with a lawyer here (I live in Spain) or going directly to one in Sydney?

Also, is what she done criminal? I mean it´s obviously wrong but what exactly is it and is the email enough to prove it?

Peregrinus

Find out what state your ex is living in. Then do some preliminary research on online harrassment laws in that state. Then either make a complaint directly to the police in that state or, if you want to get serious, instruct a lawyer in that state. Do not bother with a lawyer in Spain; I don't see that they can add any value to the process.

If you can get your friend who appears in the photo to join in the complaint, so much the better. From your description the abuse in this instance is directly mainly at her- she is the one about whom obscene statements are made, and a complaint from here is likely to carry more weight.

jimmurt

Peregrinus wrote: »

Find out what state your ex is living in. Then do some preliminary research on online harrassment laws in that state. Then either make a complaint directly to the police in that state or, if you want to get serious, instruct a lawyer in that state. Do not bother with a lawyer in Spain; I don't see that they can add any value to the process.

If you can get your friend who appears in the photo to join in the complaint, so much the better. From your description the abuse in this instance is directly mainly at her- she is the one about whom obscene statements are made, and a complaint from here is likely to carry more weight.

I´m checking up on that now.

I havent told her and do not want to. It would upset her a lot.

This is just the tip of the ice berg, there´s been a history of abusive messages etc going back 2.5 years. Ive had to change my email address, phone number etc. So really I am not just complaining about this one. But this is the one where a clear line has bene crossed.

Pauliedragon

jimmurt wrote: »

Sorry, can you elaborate. Would I betetr off starting with a lawyer here (I live in Spain) or going directly to one in Sydney?

Also, is what she done criminal? I mean it´s obviously wrong but what exactly is it and is the email enough to prove it?

If she's in Sydney contact the New south wales police force. As it's online they might direct you to the federal cops but they would be your first port of call. Just search nsw police and you can e mail a complaint directly to them.

John Hutton

jimmurt wrote: »

I´m checking up on that now.

I havent told her and do not want to. It would upset her a lot.

This is just the tip of the ice berg, there´s been a history of abusive messages etc going back 2.5 years. Ive had to change my email address, phone number etc. So really I am not just complaining about this one. But this is the one where a clear line has bene crossed.

You should tell her

jimmurt

John Hutton wrote: »

You should tell her

I´ve told her and also shown her the email.

She was upset but as expected doesnt want to be involved anymore, once the photo has been taken down.

The problem is that its likely the police will want her to join in or make the complaint.

My ex will just keep doing this biut to someone else in my life the next time

jimmurt

Peregrinus wrote: »

Find out what state your ex is living in. Then do some preliminary research on online harrassment laws in that state. Then either make a complaint directly to the police in that state or, if you want to get serious, instruct a lawyer in that state. Do not bother with a lawyer in Spain; I don't see that they can add any value to the process.

If you can get your friend who appears in the photo to join in the complaint, so much the better. From your description the abuse in this instance is directly mainly at her- she is the one about whom obscene statements are made, and a complaint from here is likely to carry more weight.

Its difficult to do this. The other person whilst upset, just wants to let it go.