Never has the message been so powerful than Caitlin Staseys (ofReign)Herself,a feminist website that features not only nude photographs of women but also in-depth interviews with each participant. Why ex Neighbours actress Caitlin Stasey launched feminist website Herself.com, 11 Absolutely Empowering Ways to Celebrate the Woman In Your Life, 7 Important Adulting Skills That Everyone Should Know, 6 Simple Ways to Keep Your Business Going When Times Are Tough, 5 Low-risk Investment Alternatives To A Savings Account, The Truth About Millennials And Plastic Surgery, How To Dominate Dating When You Live A Busy Life, Download: 100+ Websites That Pay You To Blog. "I thought, Oh, today I don't have to remind people, I don't have to send out a notice to say her name today, we're actually allowed to say her name. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a1aa1346911fa80a19d61cea02e4d757" );document.getElementById("gd89858695").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. That is called rape. I am not suggesting that this is a route for all victims of sexual assaultto take. [6] The teenagers were drinking vodka at a small party. Rehtaeh stood up for others, showed compassion to animals and people. "[27] Rehtaeh's funeral on April 13 was attended by 500 people, including Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter, who said he came "first and foremost as a father trying to imagine what kind of incredible, unfathomable grief could be visited upon a family. Nothing was done about that because they couldnt prove who had pressed the photo button on the phone, Parsons told the Herald. Another 20-year-old man charged in the case, whose identity is also protected, was given a conditional discharge in November after he pleaded guilty to making child pornography by taking the photo of the accused. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. She called me a slut and a liar and swore he would never do that. [19] School boards need to share more information when kids transfer schools, as Parsons did to escape harassment. We may earn a commission from links on this page. [3] According to the family, the boys were not questioned and their phones were not reviewed for the photograph of the rape in progress. Rehtaeh Parsons killed herself after she said she had been raped and bullied (Facebook) Hacktivist group Anonymous has threatened to release the names of four boys accused of . Other photos offer a further. It has been sent. Because, in reality, it makes me so fucking pissed that a kid had to be a catalyst when all she really wanted was to just live her life. Credit: Telegraph.co.uk In November of 2011, 15-year-old Rehtaeh Parsons was gang raped at a party by four of her male peers. [6] The teenagers were drinking vodka at a small party. She sought assistance from the authorities. She would be haunted by that photograph and what it meant until her last breath. Web of Lies - After a teenage house party spirals out of control, a shocking photo goes viral around the local schools. Would you trust your family members to be around him in a public spot? Yesterday, 17-year-old Rehtaeh Parsons' father wrote a heart-rending letter about his daughter. An independent review released in June concluded the Halifax regional school board could have done a better job but was hindered by the fact that Rehtaeh was often absent from class. Afterwards, many in school called Parsons a "slut" and she received text messages and Facebook messages from people requesting to have sex with her. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. ", "She didn't get to see any of those goals listed and she never will," Leah added. [12] Citing the offender's age at the time of the crime and Canada's Youth Criminal Justice Act, the Crown had advised the Judge that the only possible penalties in this case were either probation or a conditional discharge. When given a chance to speak Thursday, the man who posed for the photo said, "I have already apologized to Rehtaeh a few days after the picture was sent." Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan . Perhaps Rehtaehs suffering and death can act asa catalyst for reassessing how we treat women who have been violated. The second person convicted in the Rehtaeh Parsons child pornography case in Nova Scotia has been sentenced to 12 months probation. Depending on the direction the RCMP are going it could very well be them. . We are highlighting the actions, both off and online, of 19 individuals in Rehtaehs broader community. A judge for the Halifax Provincial Court imposed a mandatory DNA sample and ordered that the accused apologize to Rehtaeh Parsons' family. The man said that he did not expect the photo to be shared among people. But there is a problem with how we stigmatize nudity, especially that of young women. On April 4, 2013, Rehtaeh Parsons (/rte/, r-TAY-;[1] December 9, 1995 April 7, 2013), a 17-year-old former Cole Harbour District High School student, attempted suicide by hanging[2] at her home in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, leading to a coma and the decision to switch her life support machine off on April 7, 2013. Education Minister Karen Casey said one week after the report's release that "each of the provinces school boards has its own protocol when it comes to dealing with police investigations on school property."[24]. She died shortly after. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigated the case, but found insufficient evidence to press chargesdespite photographic evidence of the crime. [5], After her suicide, posters appeared locally in support of the boys who allegedly attacked Parsons. Instead, the police called it a "he said, she said" case and also decided the photo was not criminal, in spite of Parsons being a minor. Photograph: Andrew Vaughan/AP, Ask.fm loses advertisers as Cameron calls for 'irresponsible websites' boycott, Ask.fm faces backlash from advertisers after teenager's suicide, Cyberbullying: a mother's fight for justice, Boycott 'vile' websites, says David Cameron - video, Cyberbullying websites should be boycotted, says Cameron, Hannah Smith suicide: MPs call for education in social-media awareness. Theres something so powerful and beautiful about that. The boy I was set up with raped me. The girl in the photo, Rehtaeh Parsons, faced vicious slut-shaming and harassment as a result of the photo. Until recently, Parsons's name was the subject of a publication ban as she was underage when the photo was taken, and thus it qualified as child pornography. Sign-up to get the latest news and update information. Im Jasmine. Her ordeal began after a photo got shared of her leaning out a window . When a girl ends her life after two years of slut-shaming and harassment, including watching photos of her attack spread around Facebook and her high school, people dont forget so easily. I got extremely messed up. The Party's Facebook page was flooded with image macro and flames. Amanda Todd's case has gone completely . Her . We believe it's in the public interest in this unique case, given the widespread recognition of [her] name, and given the good that can come, and has already come, from free public debate over sexual consent and the other elements of her story." This issue is so problematic in a multitude of ways. One of the three boys, who was a friend of Parsons, was stabbed and treated for a "non-life-threatening injury". Neither was given any jail time. He also faces separate charges of assault and making death threats. Please try again later. That she was bright and funny? Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Try not to drop it this time., Screenshots via AnonPaste.me. The heart of the problem lies in the fact that there is nothing inherently shameful about the naked human body. Despite the darkness and the cruelty of this situation, there are positive things happening that I believe have been inspired by the way we treat women who fall victim to online predators. [17], On June 14, 2013, the 56-page report of Penny Milton and Debra Pepler, two education experts from Ontario, was released. Their names can't be legally published in Canada. Arrests were made in that case. ", The man who appeared in the photo "displayed absolutely no respect" for Rehtaeh, Judge Gregory Lenehan said in his ruling. In a memorial gallery the Parsons family posted to YouTube, you can see Rehtaeh holding her newborn sister in her arms, her mother smiling in the background. Lastly, the justice system failed her. The RCMP are playing deaf and dumb with informing the public of the information they have in the case, our source continued. Its about highlighting the facts of that night. Police in Canada have charged two young men with distributing child pornography in the cyberbullying case of Rehtaeh Parsons, a 17-year-old who killed herself after a photo of her allegedly being raped was shared online. To me, Id think youd get the boys right away, separate them., The police told her that the distribution of the photos wasnot really a criminal issue, its more of a community issue.. Despite the fact that some people have criticized her decision. On Rehtaehs memorial Facebook page, her mother, Leah, described how the rape and ceaseless harassment pulled the girl into depression and suicidal thoughts. Showing results for rehtaeh parsons. Only a year later, the police concluded their investigation stating that there was insufficient evidence despite a viral photograph of Rehtaeh with her rapists. We want to make sure you are financially fit, healthy and making excellent life decisions. Instead, today a judge sentenced the man to 12 months probation. Photographs of the attack, which took place at a rave, spread throughout social media. Rehtaeh Parsons, a 15 year old student from Nova Scotia, was raped by four schoolboys while drunk at a sleepover. On April 15, the group was deactivated, but not before organizing a counterprotest and postering in real life, in the fashion of the Westboro Baptist Church, setting up across the street from a pro-Rehtaeh demonstration and sticking posters in front of the Parsons house. Shes looking into the camera. Her parents took her off life support three days later. Their beloved daughter left this world on April 7, 2013, at the age of 17. Anonymous knows who the suspects are, but its staying silent out of respector Leah Parsonss wish that the boys not be publicly named. Wait a sec. In November 2014, the Halifax Chronicle Herald violated the ban by publishing the name and photo of Parsons on its front page and online; the story was accompanied by an editor's note, stating: "We've decided to publish the name of the victim in this story, despite a court-ordered ban. New laws are being considered after these events. Canadian police have yet to convict a single person in the case of Amanda Todd, despite a detailed trail of online evidence. Rehtaeh's death prompted the Nova Scotia government to launch reviews of the RCMP's original investigation and the school board's handling of the matter. [30] Leah Parsons had called for the case to be settled legally rather than by vigilantes. If we did something stupid when we were a kid, made out with some boy or something, the worst thing you had to worry about was, was your name going to be written in some stall?". You probably knew nothing about her whatsoever. The charges against both men are disgusting. Do not hesitate to message the mods if you experience any issues! Noting that her name and photo had been widely disseminated prior to the trial, both the victim's parents and the trial's judge objected to the ban. "I was unable to console her as she crumbled emotionally after that photo was taken. We are in essence doing what the RCMP should have done themselves, investigate the circumstance thoroughly. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. I can assure you we had the names of the alleged rapists within hours of the story going live, he said: Unfortunately a few short-sighted Anons have rushed to release names (almost every dox Ive seen has incorrect names). Regardless of whether they were willing participants in these images or victims of sexual assault, they are shamed. Between those two extremes of extraordinary violence, Rehtaeh lived as a perpetual victimof her rapists, who took a photograph of that night and made sure it spread virally among her classmates, and the Canadian Mounted Police, who never filed a single charge in the case., UPDATE: How schools and police failed Rehtaeh Parsons. Her and her BF set me up with his best friend. He said he hadn't failed Rehtaeh, but the justice system had failed her. It spread like wildfire and she was cruelly mocked. [34], On April 26, 2013, Christie Blatchford wrote in the National Post that a problem in the case was that one of Parsons' friends claimed Parsons was "flirtatious" on the night the photo was taken, was seen laughing in bed with two boys and also there were "accounts from Rehtaeh herself and independent evidence, including retrieved online messages, that supported the suggestion the sex that took place was consensual." I never spoke to my so called friend again but she did refer to me as slut from then on. She was transferred from Cole Harbour District High School, to Dartmouth High School, to Prince Andrew High School to Citadel High School. Others in this world took that away from her. The desire to objectify, to dominate, and assault? Tell me a teenager who hasn't. She could never have imagined that her death would unite friends and supporters with an international force of hacktivists and anti-bully activists. She made my life complete. The man, 20, who remains anonymous under Canadian law as he was 17 at the time, is the second person convicted of distributing child pornography charges after spreading a photo via text message of Rehtaeh Parsons, who committed suicide in April 2013 after being tormented by those who viewed the image. "I don't sit here as a parent and say he's perfect," she told Blatchford. [39], Canadian media reports about criminal trials involving child pornography are subject to a publication ban under the Criminal Code: they must omit any information that would identify any minor who was involved in or witness to the case, including the victim, or be subject to fines. Im grateful to everyone for all of your support, thoughts, and the prayers youve sent us. "Simply making the report doesn't guarantee it happens. Rehtaeh is gone today because of the four boys that thought that raping a 15 year old girl was OK and to distribute a photo to ruin her spirit and reputation would be fun. "Humans make mistakes," said the young man, who turned 20 yesterday. Parsons had little memory of the event, except that, at one point, she vomited while a boy was allegedly raping her. Not simply because strangers, friends, and family alike would see you nude, but because of the judgment of these victims. Miss Millennia Magazine LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. [13] In November 2014, the first defendant to plead guilty was sentenced to a conditional discharge with 12 months' probation. [20], The Parsons case also prompted an external inquiry into the conduct of the Crown Prosecutor's office. Victims also can seek a protection order that could place restrictions on or help identify the cyberbully. My heart bleeds for all of you, as a parent now I just cannot imagine what you are going through. Police in April said a person had provided new information in the Parsons case and was willing to identify the suspects. Rehtaeh Parsons, 17, died just days after a suicide attempt that followed years of cyberbullying after she was allegedly gang-raped at a party. Both accused are due in youth court next Thursday. Thank you for your message. [42], Last edited on 14 December 2022, at 08:33, Anonymous muscle in on Canadian teen rape case, Post-assault treatment of sexual assault victims, List of suicides that have been attributed to bullying, Rehtaeh Parsons Video Tribute Marks Life Of 'Angel' (VIDEO), "Rehtaeh Parsons, Canadian Girl, Dies After Suicide Attempt; Parents Allege She Was Raped By 4 Boys", "Canadian teen commits suicide after alleged rape, bullying", Rape, bullying led to N.S. "[22], Significantly, the Segal report found that school board officials prevented a police investigator from talking to students at Parsons school. Only several months after Rehtaehs assault, a 16-year-old high school student was raped by two high school football players in Steubenville, Ohio. We were in the groove.". On April 7, 2013, almost two years after her sexual assault, Rehtaeh killed herself. Her parents lobbied NS Justice Minister Lena Diab to lift the ban so her story could be publicized. "Where's the consent? Her assailants documented her rape through photographs shared with classmates and posted on Instagram. Lorraine Murphy is an Ottawa-based cybersecurity journalist and founding editor of the Cryptosphere. cyberbullying legislation allows victims to sue", "New cyberbullying law can force removal of intimate images online", BILL NO. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. Three years ago in British Columbia, another teenage girl was gang-raped. Images via DarksideBarones/Twitter. 2023 Getty Images. In response to Parsons' suicide, Nova Scotia enacted a law in August 2013 allowing victims to seek protection from cyberbullying and to sue the perpetrator. A woman holds a photo as several hundred people attended a community vigil to remember Rehtaeh Parsons at Victoria Park in Halifax on Thursday, April 11, 2013. Photos: Canadian teenager Rehtaeh Parsons Updated 1:29 PM EDT, Fri August 9, 2013 Link Copied! A photo of her rape soon began circulating online. Search instead for rethaeh parsons? The 17-year old student from Cole Harbour, N.S., committed suicide after four boys sexually asssaulted her and then distributed photos of the. I thought she died. I had to read it more than once. Fed up with the abuse that continues on and offline against a dead rape victim and her family, hacker collective Anonymous decided the law wasnt working fast enough. April 7 - Rehtaeh Parsons is taken off life support and dies three days after she tried to kill herself following an alleged sexual assault by four boys at a party in November 2011. Sort by: Most popular Bullying Kills Then the slut-shaming, bullying and mental health challenges that are so often experienced by the victims of sexual assault followed her for. But her life was derailed when she went to a friend's house for a sleepover and the two of them dropped by at a . The Canadian prime minister, Stephen Harper, applauded the progress in the case and said Rehtaeh's death was a terrible tragedy that touched people across Canada. New information, from Canada.com, about the police investigation into the young. This, of course, brings into question what the RCMP, with their greater (legal) resources, have in terms of evidence. Parsons' case sparked outrage across Canada. A Halifax court ruled on Thursday that no jail time or probation would be given to the young man responsible for the photo that led Rehtaeh Parsons to kill herself in April 2013. "I am truly sorry. These images reclaim power over the female body. The alleged rape went unreported for several days until Parsons broke down and told her family, who contacted an emergency health team and the police. When I was 15 years old, I went to a party with my Friend. I hope we will be able to see this documentary! Rehtaehs case is yet another sad reminder of the power of social media to stretch a moment of sexual violence into a years-long ordeal that destroys a teenagers life. Everybody has a right to know, in all honesty, even a young offender. 04/11/13 AT 12:22 PM. Rehtaeh took her own life last week at the age of 17 after being gang raped in 2011 and relentlessly bullied by her classmates and peers ever since. Her mother said a boy took a photo of the alleged assault in 2011 and that her daughter was bullied for months after it was distributed online. [10] On April 12, the RCMP announced the case was being reopened in light of "new and credible information" that they said did not come from the Internet.[11]. Another was about taking away their ability to make decisions. Holten has reclaimed the power that was stolen from her when her nudes were posted online. Police in Canada have charged two young men with distributing child pornography in the cyberbullying case of Rehtaeh Parsons, a 17-year-old who killed herself after a photo of her allegedly. And the message they relay. The legacy of Rehtaeh Parsons In the 5 years since her tragic death, the image of the alleged rape of the Nova Scotia teenager has sparked outrage, reviews, and new laws but also an awakening. I went back to my friends house to sleep over after this with her and told her what happened. This page was last edited on 14 December 2022, at 08:33. "You lit the wildfire, so to speak, and it got completely out of control," judge Lenehan said to the man who appeared in the photo. The photo soon began circulating throughout Rehtaeh's school and community . Facebook. Staseys project is a positive move towards de-stigmatizing the nude female form. In which we treat women like objects and allow them to be the subjects of their lives. I know she was not cruel or mean to you [name removed]. Six years after Rehtaeh's death her life and struggle is still making a difference in peoples lives. Earlier this month, Emma Holten, a victim of revenge porn released by a spiteful waste-of-life ex-boyfriend, released her own nude photos and started the Consent Project. "We've been waiting for [the review] more so than we've been waiting for the sentencing results," Parsons said. [7], According to an RCMP report, in March 2013, six boys, including some of Parsons' alleged rapists, had an argument with three other boys. The authors met with 111 people, including school board staff, Ministerial staff, school staff, youth, police, health-care workers and others. Only a year later, the police concluded their investigation stating that there was insufficient evidence despite a viral photograph of Rehtaeh with her rapists. A source spoke to the Daily Dot on condition of (extra) anonymity. Anonymous wasnt involved in Steubenville? Today, Rehtaeh's mother Leah Parsons said she was relieved the ban was lifted. [16] In an unusual move for a case involving minors convicted of a crime, the judge ruled that this conviction would be kept in his criminal record for a period of five years. She was just 15. It sometimes feels impossible to encompass all that needs to be said. A Nova Scotia man who texted a photo that showed him penetrating a 15-year-old girl and flashing a thumbs-up while she vomited won't see the inside of a prison anytime soon. If only her rapists were found guilty immediately following her assault and she had the chance to move on with her life and recover from the trauma of her assault. Rehtaeh al - leged that the photo depicted a sexual assault. The Chronicle Herald became the subject of investigation for its actions following complaints by police, although other media outlets have been investigated in Halifax for violating the ban but have not been subject to any charges. The law was passed in response to Parsons' suicide. "[28], There are reports that members of the hacker group Anonymous involved itself in tracing the alleged perpetrators of the incidents Parsons suffered. The RCMP have a history of dragging their feet in cases of teen sexual abuse. [41], In December 2014, Nova Scotia's attorney general announced that she was directing the province's Public Prosecution Service to pursue breaches of the publication ban in Parsons' case only if the breach is derogatory of Rehtaeh Parsons. I wish I had known her. But they havent come out and said the reasoning for dropping the case originally. We look forward to seeing what the results are of the review.". Following the suicide, Rehtaeh Parsons's mother, Leah Parsons, went public with the story and started a memorial Facebook page[7] called "Angel Rehtaeh. I just never imagined it would be at such a young age and it would cost her her life.".