REAL TALK IN SCHOOLS

Family Intervention Specialist lays down the law on bullying, cyberbullying & sexting

Katina Randolph is a family intervention specialist. She visits several schools throughout the school year teaching students, parents and staff about the consequences of words and actions.

The presentation covers bullying, cyberbullying and sexting. Most students and even parents are unaware of the laws surrounding such behaviors. Randolph explains that bullying is classified as harassment, which is a Class C Misdemeanor. Cyberbullying is a Class C Misdemeanor of harassing communication, and sexting is classified as Material Harmful to Minors (13A-12-200.5). Distribution of a private image (13A6-240) is a Class A Misdemeanor and a consequent conviction is a Class C Felony. Sexual Extortion (13A-6-241) is a Class B Felony.

Students are also informed that possession of and disseminating obscene visual depictions is a violation of Alabama Criminal Code 13A-12-192, disseminating or publicly display is a violation of Alabama Criminal Code 13A-12-191, and producing it is a violation of Alabama Criminal Code 13A-12-197.

So far this year, Randolph has presented to students at the Alabama School of Math and Science with the assistance of Sergeant Jeremy March and to the seventh and eighth graders as well as the parents at Burns Middle School. She often gets her attendees to role play in order to demonstrate the effects of bullying, cyberbullying, and sexting. These interactions have proven to be effective and students have stated that they appreciate the presentation.