Katie Price launches Government petition to make online bullying a criminal offence after disabled son is targeted
Katie Price has launched a Government petition to make online bullying a criminal offence after her disabled son was targeted by trolls.
Price, 38, has called on her fans to help her “hammer home worldwide” that there should be “repercussions or penalties” for those bullying online.
The petition, titled “Make online abuse a specific criminal offence and create a register of offenders”, remains open until September and has been retweeted by celebrities including Rebekah Vardy and Michelle Visage.
A description reads: “Trolling is a major problem in this day and age. People of all ages and background suffer every day, including my family - especially my son Harvey. I have tried my best to expose people and even had two arrested but nothing was done and there were no repercussions or penalties for this behaviour.
“This does not affect just high profile people it affects everyone from every walk of life from young children, teenagers, people at work, husbands and wives. This abuse includes racism, homophobia, body shaming and a whole range of other hate speech.
“This petition is an important topical issue and I want it to help bring justice to everyone who has ever suffered at the hands of trolls. Help me to hammer home worldwide that bullying is unacceptable whether it's face to face or in an online space.”
The petition has amassed 38,300 signatures to surpass the 10,000 mark needed to garner a Government response. If it reaches 100,000 the petition will be considered for debate in Parliament.
Price launched the petition hours before naming and shaming trolls who have targeted her 14-year-old son, who is partially blind, autistic and has Prader-Willi syndrome, with inappropriate messages.
The arrest came after a man, who sent Price abusive tweets about her son, apologised to her after being exposed as a troll.
Price is also mother to Junior, 10, and Princess, eight, with Peter Andre and Jett, two, and Bunny, 16 months, with Kieran Hayler.
Katie Price - In pictures
