The shocking Instagram account which shared footage of Scottish teens being beaten up should never have been there in the first place. For an account with hundreds of followers and more than 50 videos of assaults on it to remain online since February is a gross failure from Instagram.
The social media giant only removed the account after the Daily Record raised the issue with them yesterday. They are able to remove other harmful content almost immediately.
But when it comes to violence involving children, they are far too slow to act. The young victims of these attacks have suffered enough already. Many of them have been hospitalised and have had to spend lengthy periods off school.
But their pain is made worse by seeing videos of their attacks online. Abbie Jarvis speaks in today’s Record of the pain she felt on seeing the person who attacked her featuring on a second video beating up another victim.
Abbie’s mum Angela is right to demand online companies get their act together. It is clear the tech companies are not taking this seriously. If they were, more would be done to remove these videos.
It is time for the demands of the Record’s Our Kids...Our Future campaign to be met. Online giants must enforce fully their own policies on tackling harmful content.
If they don’t, these violent videos will continue to terrorise our young people.
Long overdue
For too long Scotland’s courts have been putting vulnerable sexual assault victims through a fresh ordeal as they seek justice. Already traumatised, many women face defence lawyers trying to cast doubt on their motives or trawl through their past.
Some measures have already been taken to stop this shameful practice. But Justice Minister Keith Brown deserves praise for going a step further and backing calls for the victims to have legal representation during trials.
Having someone on their side in the court would give victims vital support as they are forced to relive their ordeal. The move could also help improve Scotland’s woeful conviction rate in rape and sexual assault cases.
Every person accused of a crime has a fundamental right to the best possible defence. But no victim should ever feel that they are the ones on trial. Reforms such as this are long overdue – and should be welcomed by all.
Come on, lads
The Tartan Army will be out in force today roaring on the boys in blue as we start another campaign to reach a major tournament.
Steve Clarke’s lads have a tough group but we have a squad bursting with experience, youth and some world-class talent. We must get behind the team and give them the backing they need to get to Euro 2024.
And lets send a message to the German hosts: “We’ll be coming.”
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