Police tell users Facebook takes the complaints

By Jordan Oliver
Updated November 2 2012 - 4:54pm, first published June 27 2011 - 2:52pm
Police tell users Facebook takes the complaints
Police tell users Facebook takes the complaints

BALLARAT region residents wanting to report low-level abuse on Facebook should do so through the site’s complaints area rather than to local authorities, police say.However reports of more serious issues arising from the social networking site should always be made to police.Flyers have been sent to several police stations in the region, urging residents to contact Facebook’s abuse department for minor matters rather than involve police.One of these is posted in the Ballarat Police Station, which describes how complaints about behaviour on Facebook are on the rise and, unless of a criminal nature, should be emailed to abuse@facebook.com.Maryborough police Sergeant Craig Pearse, who created the flyers, said more serious matters relating to Facebook should still be made to police.“It’s the low level complaints that should be directed to the email address,” he said.“But in cases where someone is engaging in conduct causing intimidation to another person, then that’s definitely something that should be reported to the police.”Sergeant Pearse said reports of abuse on Facebook were on the rise, but said many complaints to police, such as for slander and teasing, were not strictly police matters.“If people are not sure if the complaint is a criminal matter or not, then contact police and we’ll advise,” he said.“People should not be afraid or intimidated to call police.”Sergeant Pearse said people concerned with another person’s behaviour on Facebook could simply block that person and never have to deal with them, online, again.“There’s no need to have 1600 friends (on Facebook) if you don’t like them,” he said.“If it’s used normally, if it’s used for what it was designed for, then it’s completely harmless.”Police say complainants writing to abuse@facebook.com can expect a response within two or three weeks.For any matters on Facebook relating to a criminal nature, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or your local police station.

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