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| {{Short description|Suicide of a student in Canada}} | |||
| {{pp-blp|expiry=indef|small=yes}} | |||
| {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2015}} | |||
| {{Infobox news event | {{Infobox news event | ||
| | title = Suicide of Rehtaeh Parsons | | title = Suicide of Rehtaeh Parsons | ||
| | image = | | image = Rehtaeh Parsons.jpg | ||
| ⚫ | | caption = Parsons in 2012 | ||
| | image_name = | |||
| | image_size = | |||
| ⚫ | | caption = | ||
| | place = ], ] | | place = ], ] | ||
| | blank_label = Born | |||
| | cause = Hanging, resulting in coma, leading to death | |||
| | blank_data = {{birth date|1995|12|9}} | |||
| ⚫ | | burial = | ||
| | blank2_label = Died | |||
| ⚫ | | inquiries = | ||
| | blank2_data = {{death date and age|2013|4|7|1995|12|9}} | |||
| ⚫ | | burial = Halifax | ||
| ⚫ | | inquiries = | ||
| | inquest = | | inquest = | ||
| | coroner = | | coroner = | ||
| | suspects = | | suspects = | ||
| | charges = | | charges = | ||
| | verdict = | | verdict = | ||
| | convictions = | | convictions = | ||
| | notes = | | notes = | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| '''Rehtaeh Parsons''' ({{IPAc-en|r|ə|ˈ|t|eɪ |
'''Rehtaeh Anne Parsons''' ({{IPAc-en|r|ə|ˈ|t|eɪ|ə}}, {{respell|rə|TAY|ə}};<ref name="cbc_rp_mother">{{cite news |url= http://www.cbc.ca/player/Radio/Local+Shows/Maritimes/Maritime+Noon/ID/2374375198/ |title= Rehtaeh Parsons' Mother |date= April 9, 2013 |work= Maritime Noon With Norma Lee MacLeod |publisher= CBC Radio |access-date= April 12, 2013 }}</ref> December 9, 1995 – April 7, 2013), was a 17-year-old ] student who attempted ]<ref name="video tribute">"," ''] Canada'', April 9, 2013, URL accessed April 14, 2013.</ref> at her home in ], ], on April 4, 2013, leading to a coma and the decision to switch her ] machine off on April 7, 2013.<ref name="huffpost" /> Her death has been attributed to online distribution of photos of an alleged ] that occurred 17 months prior to her suicide, in November 2011.<ref name=huffpost>{{cite news|title=Rehtaeh Parsons, Canadian Girl, Dies After Suicide Attempt; Parents Allege She Was Raped By 4 Boys|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/09/rehtaeh-parsons-girl-dies-suicide-rape-canada_n_3045033.html|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=April 11, 2013|first=Andres|last=Jauregui|date=April 9, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/10/justice/canada-teen-suicide/index.html?iref=allsearch |title=Canadian teen commits suicide after alleged rape, bullying |publisher=CNN |date= April 10, 2013|access-date=April 11, 2013}}</ref> On a ] page set up in tribute to her daughter, Parsons' mother blamed the four boys who allegedly raped and released images of her, the subsequent constant "] and messaging and harassment", and the failure of the Canadian justice system, for her daughter's decision to die by suicide.<ref name="Slate-20130410">{{cite news|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2013/04/rehtaeh_parsons_rape_case_why_do_these_keep_happening.single.html |title=Sexting Scourge |last=Bazelon |first=Emily |date=April 10, 2013 |work=Slate |access-date=April 11, 2013}}</ref> | ||
| In response to Parsons' suicide, Nova Scotia enacted a law in August 2013 allowing victims to seek protection from ] and to sue the perpetrator. | |||
| ==Background== | ==Background== | ||
| In November 2011, Rehtaeh Parsons, then 15, allegedly went with a friend to a home in which she was reportedly raped by |
In November 2011, Rehtaeh Parsons, then 15, allegedly went with a friend to a home in which she was reportedly raped by four teenage boys.<ref name=herald>{{cite web|last=Ross|first=Selena|title=Who failed Rehtaeh Parsons?|url=http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1122345-who-failed-rehtaeh-parsons|work=The Chronicle Herald|access-date=April 11, 2013}}</ref> The teenagers were drinking vodka at a small party. Parsons had little memory of the event, except that, at one point, she vomited while a boy was allegedly raping her. The incident was photographed and the photo became widespread in Parsons' school and town in three days. Afterwards, many in school called Parsons a "]" and she received ] and ] messages from people requesting to have sex with her. 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.<ref name="CBCApril9">"", ''CBC News'', April 9, 2013, URL accessed April 13, 2013.</ref> | ||
| According to an RCMP report, in March 2013 six boys, including some of Parsons' |
According to an ] report, in March 2013, six boys, including some of Parsons' alleged rapists, had an argument with three other boys. One of the three boys, who was a friend of Parsons, was stabbed and treated for a "non-life-threatening injury".<ref name="stabbing">"," ''] Canada'', April 16, 2013, URL accessed April 16, 2013.</ref> | ||
| ==Investigation== | ==Investigation== | ||
| A year following the alleged rape, the |
A year following the alleged rape, the RCMP concluded an investigation stating, " investigation into an earlier sexual assault was completed, and in consultation with the ], there was ] to lay charges".<ref name="huffpost" /> According to the family, the boys were not questioned and their phones were not reviewed for the photograph of the rape in progress.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ross|first=Selena|title=Rehtaeh Parsons case prompts scrutiny of police, prosecution procedures|url=http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1176083-rehtaeh-parsons-case-prompts-scrutiny-of-police-prosecution-procedures|access-date=October 4, 2014}}</ref> | ||
| 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.<ref name="CBCApril9"/> Likewise, there were no arrests for the March 2013 stabbing incident.<ref name="stabbing"/> | |||
| Following the suicide, the RCMP announced they were reviewing the case.<ref name=abc>{{cite web|last=Dolak|first=Kevin|title=Rehtaeh Parsons Suicide: Justice Minister Revisiting Alleged Rape Case|url= |
Following the suicide, the RCMP announced they were reviewing the case.<ref name=abc>{{cite web|last=Dolak|first=Kevin|title=Rehtaeh Parsons Suicide: Justice Minister Revisiting Alleged Rape Case|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/rehtaeh-parsons-suicide-justice-minister-revisiting-alleged-rape/story?id=18924592#.UWYrmxzvujY|work=ABC News|access-date=April 11, 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>"," ''CBC News'', April 12, 2013, URL accessed April 13, 2013.</ref> | ||
| In September 2014, one of the boys, by then 20, pleaded guilty to a charge of making ] in relation to the photo of Parsons.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bruce|first1=Steve|title=Young man enters guilty plea in high-profile Nova Scotia child porn case|url=http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1238106-young-man-enters-guilty-plea-in-high-profile-nova-scotia-child-porn-case|access-date=October 2, 2014|newspaper=Halifax Chronicle Herald|date=September 22, 2014}}</ref> Citing the offender's age at the time of the crime and Canada's '']'', the Crown prosecutor advised the Judge that the only possible penalties in this case were either probation or a conditional discharge.<ref>{{cite news|title=No jail time in high-profile child pornography case in Halifax|url=http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1250838-no-jail-time-in-high-profile-child-pornography-case-in-halifax/|access-date=January 30, 2015|newspaper=Halifax Chronicle Herald|date=November 14, 2014}}</ref> In November 2014, the first defendant to plead guilty was sentenced to a conditional discharge with 12 months' probation.<ref>{{cite news|title=No jail for Canadian man over photo of alleged sex assault|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/no-jail-for-canadian-man-over-photo-of-alleged-sex-assault/|access-date=January 30, 2015|publisher=CBS News|date=November 14, 2014}}</ref> With a ], his criminal record will not show a conviction in this case, unless he breaches the terms of his probation. | |||
| ⚫ | ==Reactions |
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| ⚫ | Following the suicide, Rehtaeh Parsons' mother Leah Parsons went public with the story and started a memorial Facebook page<ref name="CBCApril9"/> called "Angel Rehtaeh."<ref name="video tribute"/> The ] of |
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| Also in November 2014, the second person charged, then 19, pleaded guilty to a charge of distributing child pornography, in relation to the photo of himself and Parsons.<ref>{{cite news|title=Second young man pleads guilty in Rehtaeh Parsons case|url=http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1252984-second-young-man-pleads-guilty-in-rehtaeh-parsons-case|access-date=January 14, 2015|newspaper=Halifax Chronicle Herald|date=November 24, 2014}}</ref> He was sentenced on January 15, 2015, to one year of probation and required to submit a sample to a DNA database.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bruce|first1=Steve|title=Second man sentenced in Rehtaeh Parsons case gets probation|url=http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1252984-second-young-man-pleads-guilty-in-rehtaeh-parsons-case|access-date=January 30, 2015|newspaper=Halifax Chronicle Herald|date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rehtaeh Parsons case: Teen in explicit photo gets probation|url=https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.2901502|access-date=January 30, 2015|publisher=CBC News|date=January 15, 2015}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | ] ] commented on the case, saying he was "sickened" by the story and that the online bullying was "simply criminal activity."<ref name="Harpercomment">"," ''CBC News'', April 11, 2013, URL accessed April 13, 2013.</ref> |
||
| ==Milton–Pepler inquiry== | |||
| ⚫ | There are reports that the group |
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| On June 14, 2013, the 56-page report of ] and ], two education experts from Ontario, was released.<ref name=ch13>, June 14, 2013.</ref><ref name=cbc13>, June 14, 2013.</ref><ref name=sun13>, June 14, 2013.</ref> The provincial government of ] requested the report, which is entitled "External Review of the Halifax Regional School Board’s Support of Rehtaeh Parsons".<ref name=ch13/><ref name=cbc13/> One conclusion of the report was that Nova Scotian schools "need to do a better job preventing harassment and sexual aggression".<ref>, June 14, 2013.</ref> | |||
| Significantly, the authors recommended an external review of the ], the Halifax hospital where she was a patient for five weeks after she had a breakdown and became suicidal.<ref name=cbc13/> Canning said that Parsons was strip-searched by two men while receiving treatment in 2012 at the IWK, while the IWK denied the allegations.<ref name=cbc13/> | |||
| ⚫ | Parsons' suicide and the circumstances surrounding it have been compared to those of |
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| The authors met with 111 people, including school board staff, Ministerial staff, school staff, youth, police, health-care workers and others.<ref name=ch13/> The authors received more than 150 submissions from the general public,<ref name=ch13/> but curiously failed to interview Parsons' friends or her teachers.<ref name=cbc13/> Among the 13 recommendations<ref name=sun13/> made by the authors were: | |||
| ⚫ | After her suicide, posters appeared locally in support of the boys who allegedly attacked Parsons. The RCMP expressed concern that the posters might lead to vigilantism, although they |
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| * involving young people in advisory roles;<ref name=ch13/> | |||
| ⚫ | |url= |
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| * ensuring that students help develop policies that affect them;<ref name=ch13/> | |||
| ⚫ | |date=18 |
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| * clarifying the process for transferring students between schools;<ref name=ch13/> | |||
| * engaging parents;<ref name=ch13/> | |||
| * removing barriers between government bodies that serve students and their families;<ref name=ch13/> | |||
| * stronger anti-bullying and anti-sexual aggression policies in schools;<ref name=sun13/> | |||
| * restorative justice to help students "learn from their mistakes";<ref name=sun13/> | |||
| * more young people in government advisory roles;<ref name=sun13/> | |||
| * better school engagement with parents;<ref name=sun13/> | |||
| * a curriculum that includes "intellectual, ethical, social-emotional, and physical development for all students";<ref name=sun13/> | |||
| * schools should ensure harassment allegations are thoroughly investigated and perpetrators punished.<ref name=sun13/> | |||
| The report traced Parsons' history through the school system. She was transferred from ], to ], to ] to ]. It recommended that the ] clarify the transfer approval process between schools, in order to stamp out any inconsistencies between policy and practices.<ref name=cbc13/> School boards need to share more information when kids transfer schools, as Parsons did to escape harassment.<ref name=sun13/> "The school to which Rehtaeh transferred received no information about these events and did not get to know Rehtaeh well," the report noted.<ref name=sun13/> | |||
| ⚫ | On April 26, ] wrote in the '']'' that a problem in the case was that one of Parsons' friends claimed Parsons was "flirtatious" on the night the photo was taken |
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| ==Segal inquiry== | |||
| The Parsons case also prompted an external inquiry into the conduct of the Crown Prosecutor's office. This inquiry, which was requested by the Dexter government in August 2013 and released on October 8, 2015, during the government of ], was performed by Murray Segal, a former chief prosecutor in Ontario.<ref name=smac>, October 8, 2015.</ref><ref name=scbc>, October 8, 2015.</ref><ref name=sgn>, October 15, 2015.</ref><ref name=sctv>, October 9, 2015.</ref> The report was delayed until legal proceedings involving two men charged with child pornography offences in the case concluded.<ref name=smac/> Segal made 17 recommendations, and found the system "failed" on just about every level; a series of improvements to policies, procedures and actions relating to cyberbullying, sexual violence, investigations and prosecutions was contained in the report,<ref name=scbc/> but significantly Segal wrote that it was reasonable of the Crown Prosecutor's office to conclude there was no realistic prospect that sexual assault charges would result in conviction, and thus "the decision not to lay charges of sexual assault was understandable."<ref name=smac/> | |||
| Significantly, the Segal report found that school board officials prevented a police investigator from talking to students at Parsons’ school.<ref name=sgn/> The police investigator "made an attempt to attend at the school to interview as many students as possible about the photo... This attempt was apparently thwarted by school authorities."<ref name=sgn/> Segal found that it was "important that either police or school authorities" speak to the students.<ref name=sgn/> Segal continued: "Some work has also been done to clarify how schools and police interact, (but) we were informed that there is a lot of mystique around police investigations from the schools’ perspective: school authorities are loath to act when they are aware of an active criminal investigation, because they do not want to influence the evidence or prejudice the investigation." Education Minister ] said one week after the report's release that "each of the province’s school boards has its own protocol when it comes to dealing with police investigations on school property."<ref name=sgn/> | |||
| Other recommendations include that:<ref name=scbc/> | |||
| * the ] and the ] revise their sexual assault and child abuse policies; | |||
| * police should create a policy for interviewing underage victims of sexual assault; | |||
| * an integrated police sex crimes unit that works more closely with the sexual assault investigation team be created; | |||
| * police and Crown prosecutors be given specific training as soon as they are assigned to deal with such crimes; | |||
| * more Crown prosecutors with specialized training be available; | |||
| * a memorandum should be written when the Crown decides there are insufficient grounds to lay a charge or feels there is no realistic chance of a conviction. | |||
| Segal made it clear that Parsons' complaint of sexual assault and cyberbullying was mishandled, and as early as one day later there were calls to implement his recommendations. "Simply making the report doesn't guarantee it happens. You need to have a number of people holding to account and seeing what's actually done", said Dalhousie law professor ]. | |||
| ⚫ | ==Reactions== | ||
| ⚫ | Following the suicide, Rehtaeh Parsons's mother, Leah Parsons, went public with the story and started a memorial Facebook page<ref name="CBCApril9"/> called "Angel Rehtaeh."<ref name="video tribute"/> The ] of Rehtaeh's father, Glen Canning, also went viral.<ref name="stabbing"/> The story drew international attention and sparked outrage on the Internet, with ] reporting the phrase "Nova Scotia" was "trending on ] worldwide."<ref name="vigilantes">"," ''CBC News'', April 10, 2013, URL accessed April 13, 2013.</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | ] ] commented on the case, saying he was "sickened" by the story and that the online bullying was "simply criminal activity."<ref name="Harpercomment">"," ''CBC News'', April 11, 2013, URL accessed April 13, 2013.</ref> Rehtaeh's funeral on April 13 was attended by 500 people, including Nova Scotia Premier ], 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."<ref>"," ''CBC News'', April 13, 2013, URL accessed April 13, 2013.</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | There are reports that members of the hacker group ] involved itself in tracing the alleged perpetrators of the incidents Parsons suffered.<ref name="huffpoca">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/04/10/rehtaeh-parsons-suicide-anonymous_n_3052495.html|title=Rehtaeh Parsons Suicide: Web Calls On Anonymous To Act After Nova Scotia Teen's Death (UPDATE: Anonymous Responds)|date=April 10, 2013|work=] Canada|access-date=April 12, 2013|quote=Anonymous released a statement Wednesday, claiming to know the identities of some of Rehtaeh Parsons’ alleged rapists.}}</ref> In its news release, Anonymous blamed the death on "school teachers, administrators, the police and prosecutors, those who should have been role models in the late Rehtaeh's life."<ref name="Harpercomment"/> Later, Anonymous announced it would not publicize the names of the individuals it believed to be the rapists, in respect of the Parsons family's wishes.<ref>"," ''CBC News'', April 12, 2013, URL accessed April 13, 2013.</ref> Leah Parsons had called for the case to be settled legally rather than by vigilantes.<ref name="vigilantes"/> | ||
| ⚫ | Parsons' suicide and the circumstances surrounding it have been compared to those of British Columbian ]<ref name="vigilantes"/><ref>Tu Thanh Ha and Jane Taber, "," '']'', April 9, 2013, URL accessed April 26, 2013.</ref> and with ], a fifteen-year-old girl from ], United States, and appear to show similar characteristics. New laws are being considered after these events.<ref name="CBC-Pott">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/u-s-teen-s-death-eerily-similar-to-rehtaeh-parsons-s-story-1.1371319|title=U.S. teen's death eerily similar to Rehtaeh Parsons' story - Nova Scotia - CBC News|date=April 12, 2013|work=]|access-date=April 12, 2013|quote=The case involving three U.S. teens arrested for sexual battery last week against a 15-year-old girl from California who took her own life is eerily similar to the tragedy involving Nova Scotia teen Rehtaeh Parsons, says attorney Robert Allard.}}</ref><ref name="CBC-Pott-2">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/3-u-s-teens-arrested-for-sexual-battery-after-girl-s-suicide-1.1312171|title=3 U.S. teens arrested for sexual battery after girl's suicide - World - CBC News|date=April 12, 2013|work=]|access-date=April 13, 2013|quote=In Canada, authorities said they are looking further into the case of a 17-year-old girl who killed herself Sunday after an alleged rape and months of bullying. A photo said to be of the 2011 assault of Rehtaeh Parsons was shared online. She was 15 at the time.}}</ref> Parsons has been described as a "victim of ]".<ref name="Slate-20130410" /> | ||
| ⚫ | After her suicide, posters appeared locally in support of the boys who allegedly attacked Parsons. The RCMP expressed concern that the posters might lead to vigilantism, although they did not name the accused.<ref name="Patten">{{cite news | ||
| ⚫ | |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/04/18/rehtaeh_parsons_case_rcmp_worried_posters_supporting_4_boys_could_incite_vigilantism.html |title=Rehtaeh Parsons case: RCMP worried posters supporting 4 boys could incite vigilantism |last=Patten|first=Melanie | ||
| ⚫ | |date=April 18, 2013 |agency=The Canadian Press |access-date=April 23, 2013|quote=The RCMP say they're concerned posters that have appeared on Halifax streets in support of four boys accused of sexually assaulting Rehtaeh Parsons could incite vigilante behaviour against the teens. The brightly coloured posters bear the words, "Speak the Truth" in large, bold print and urge people to support the boys, though it does not identify them.}}</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | On April 26, 2013, ] wrote in the '']'' 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." Blatchford also wrote the photo did not show Parsons' face.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Blatchford|first=Christie|date=2013-04-26|title=Christie Blatchford: Why there may never be a case against the alleged Rehtaeh Parsons rapists|language=en|work=National Post|url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/christie-blatchford-why-there-will-never-be-a-case-against-the-rehtaeh-parsons|access-date=2022-01-03}}</ref> In response, Parsons' father, Glen Canning, accused Blatchford of ] and argued, "The two boys involved in taking and posing for the photograph stated Rehtaeh was throwing up when they had sex with her. That is not called consensual sex. That is called rape."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Cross|first=Allison|date=2013-04-26|title='It's always about the victim': Rehtaeh Parsons' parents respond to Christie Blatchford's column|language=en|work=National Post|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/its-always-about-the-victim-rehtaeh-parsons-father-responds-to-christie-blatchfords-column|access-date=2022-01-03}}</ref> | ||
| === Legislative impact === | |||
| In August 2013, Nova Scotia enacted a law allowing victims of cyberbullying to seek protection, including help in identifying anonymous perpetrators, and to sue the individuals or the parents in the case of minors. The law was passed in response to Parsons' suicide.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cyberbullying law inspired by Rehtaeh Parsons' suicide takes effect |newspaper=The Toronto Star|date=August 7, 2013|access-date= August 7, 2013|url= https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/08/07/cyberbullying_law_inspiredly_by_rehtaeh_parsons_suicide_takes_effect.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/n-s-cyberbullying-legislation-allows-victims-to-sue-1.1307338|title=N.S. cyberbullying legislation allows victims to sue|date=August 7, 2013|access-date=August 14, 2013|publisher=CBC News}}</ref> | |||
| That law was quashed in 2015 by the Nova Scotia Supreme Court who ruled the law's definition of cyberbullying was too wide and infringed on Charter rights and freedom of expression.<ref name="CBC-2018jul5">{{cite news |last1=Tutton |first1=Michael |date=Jul 5, 2018 |title=New cyberbullying law can force removal of intimate images online |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-new-cyberbullying-law-investigators-1.4736021 |url-status=live |department=Nova Scotia |work=] |agency=] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190730204954/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-new-cyberbullying-law-investigators-1.4736021 |archive-date=July 30, 2019 |access-date=July 30, 2019 }}</ref> | |||
| A replacement law, the ''Intimate Images and Cyber-protection Act'',<ref name="CBC-2018jul5" /> was passed in 2017<ref>. NSLegislature.ca. Retrieved July 30, 2019.</ref> and came into force in 2018.<ref name="CBC-2018jul5" /> | |||
| === Publication ban === | |||
| Canadian media reports about criminal trials involving child pornography are subject to a ] under the '']'': 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. In November 2014, the '']'' 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. We believe it's in the public interest in this unique case, given the widespread recognition of 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." 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. 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.<ref name=torstar-violation>{{cite news|title=Halifax police investigating violation of publication ban|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/11/25/halifax_police_investigating_paper_for_violating_publication_ban.html|access-date=November 26, 2014|work=Toronto Star|date=November 26, 2014}}</ref> | |||
| 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. The ban remains technically in place but unbiased reports about the case will not be subject to prosecution.<ref name=natpost-publication>{{cite news|title=Rehtaeh Parsons' name can be published again — unless it's derogatory |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/12/17/nova-scotia-wont-prosecute-anyone-who-defies-ban-and-publishes-rehtaeh-parsons-name-unless-its-derogatory/|access-date=January 12, 2015|work=National Post|date=December 17, 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| {{ |
{{Wikinews|Anonymous muscle in on Canadian teen rape case}} | ||
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| ==References== | ==References== | ||
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{{Reflist|30em}} | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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| {{Bullying}} | {{Bullying}} | ||
| {{Authority control}} | |||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Parsons, Rehtaeh, suicide of}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Parsons, Rehtaeh, suicide of}} | ||
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Latest revision as of 07:06, 3 September 2024
Suicide of a student in Canada
 Parsons in 2012 | |
| Location | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
|---|---|
| Burial | Halifax |
| Born | (1995-12-09)December 9, 1995 |
| Died | April 7, 2013(2013-04-07) (aged 17) |
Rehtaeh Anne Parsons (/rəˈteɪə/, rə-TAY-ə; December 9, 1995 – April 7, 2013), was a 17-year-old Cole Harbour District High School student who attempted suicide by hanging at her home in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, on April 4, 2013, leading to a coma and the decision to switch her life support machine off on April 7, 2013. Her death has been attributed to online distribution of photos of an alleged gang rape that occurred 17 months prior to her suicide, in November 2011. On a Facebook page set up in tribute to her daughter, Parsons' mother blamed the four boys who allegedly raped and released images of her, the subsequent constant "bullying and messaging and harassment", and the failure of the Canadian justice system, for her daughter's decision to die by suicide.
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.
Background
In November 2011, Rehtaeh Parsons, then 15, allegedly went with a friend to a home in which she was reportedly raped by four teenage boys. The teenagers were drinking vodka at a small party. Parsons had little memory of the event, except that, at one point, she vomited while a boy was allegedly raping her. The incident was photographed and the photo became widespread in Parsons' school and town in three days. Afterwards, many in school called Parsons a "slut" and she received text messages and Facebook messages from people requesting to have sex with her. 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.
According to an RCMP report, in March 2013, six boys, including some of Parsons' alleged rapists, had an argument with three other boys. One of the three boys, who was a friend of Parsons, was stabbed and treated for a "non-life-threatening injury".
Investigation
A year following the alleged rape, the RCMP concluded an investigation stating, " investigation into an earlier sexual assault was completed, and in consultation with the Crown, there was insufficient evidence to lay charges". According to the family, the boys were not questioned and their phones were not reviewed for the photograph of the rape in progress. 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. Likewise, there were no arrests for the March 2013 stabbing incident.
Following the suicide, the RCMP announced they were reviewing the case. 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.
In September 2014, one of the boys, by then 20, pleaded guilty to a charge of making child pornography in relation to the photo of Parsons. Citing the offender's age at the time of the crime and Canada's Youth Criminal Justice Act, the Crown prosecutor advised the Judge that the only possible penalties in this case were either probation or a conditional discharge. In November 2014, the first defendant to plead guilty was sentenced to a conditional discharge with 12 months' probation. With a conditional discharge, his criminal record will not show a conviction in this case, unless he breaches the terms of his probation.
Also in November 2014, the second person charged, then 19, pleaded guilty to a charge of distributing child pornography, in relation to the photo of himself and Parsons. He was sentenced on January 15, 2015, to one year of probation and required to submit a sample to a DNA database. 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.
Milton–Pepler inquiry
On June 14, 2013, the 56-page report of Penny Milton and Debra Pepler, two education experts from Ontario, was released. The provincial government of Darrell Dexter requested the report, which is entitled "External Review of the Halifax Regional School Board’s Support of Rehtaeh Parsons". One conclusion of the report was that Nova Scotian schools "need to do a better job preventing harassment and sexual aggression".
Significantly, the authors recommended an external review of the IWK Health Centre, the Halifax hospital where she was a patient for five weeks after she had a breakdown and became suicidal. Canning said that Parsons was strip-searched by two men while receiving treatment in 2012 at the IWK, while the IWK denied the allegations.
The authors met with 111 people, including school board staff, Ministerial staff, school staff, youth, police, health-care workers and others. The authors received more than 150 submissions from the general public, but curiously failed to interview Parsons' friends or her teachers. Among the 13 recommendations made by the authors were:
- involving young people in advisory roles;
- ensuring that students help develop policies that affect them;
- clarifying the process for transferring students between schools;
- engaging parents;
- removing barriers between government bodies that serve students and their families;
- stronger anti-bullying and anti-sexual aggression policies in schools;
- restorative justice to help students "learn from their mistakes";
- more young people in government advisory roles;
- better school engagement with parents;
- a curriculum that includes "intellectual, ethical, social-emotional, and physical development for all students";
- schools should ensure harassment allegations are thoroughly investigated and perpetrators punished.
The report traced Parsons' history through the school system. She was transferred from Cole Harbour District High School, to Dartmouth High School, to Prince Andrew High School to Citadel High School. It recommended that the Halifax Regional School Board clarify the transfer approval process between schools, in order to stamp out any inconsistencies between policy and practices. School boards need to share more information when kids transfer schools, as Parsons did to escape harassment. "The school to which Rehtaeh transferred received no information about these events and did not get to know Rehtaeh well," the report noted.
Segal inquiry
The Parsons case also prompted an external inquiry into the conduct of the Crown Prosecutor's office. This inquiry, which was requested by the Dexter government in August 2013 and released on October 8, 2015, during the government of Stephen McNeil, was performed by Murray Segal, a former chief prosecutor in Ontario. The report was delayed until legal proceedings involving two men charged with child pornography offences in the case concluded. Segal made 17 recommendations, and found the system "failed" on just about every level; a series of improvements to policies, procedures and actions relating to cyberbullying, sexual violence, investigations and prosecutions was contained in the report, but significantly Segal wrote that it was reasonable of the Crown Prosecutor's office to conclude there was no realistic prospect that sexual assault charges would result in conviction, and thus "the decision not to lay charges of sexual assault was understandable."
Significantly, the Segal report found that school board officials prevented a police investigator from talking to students at Parsons’ school. The police investigator "made an attempt to attend at the school to interview as many students as possible about the photo... This attempt was apparently thwarted by school authorities." Segal found that it was "important that either police or school authorities" speak to the students. Segal continued: "Some work has also been done to clarify how schools and police interact, (but) we were informed that there is a lot of mystique around police investigations from the schools’ perspective: school authorities are loath to act when they are aware of an active criminal investigation, because they do not want to influence the evidence or prejudice the investigation." Education Minister Karen Casey said one week after the report's release that "each of the province’s school boards has its own protocol when it comes to dealing with police investigations on school property."
Other recommendations include that:
- the Halifax Regional Police and the RCMP revise their sexual assault and child abuse policies;
- police should create a policy for interviewing underage victims of sexual assault;
- an integrated police sex crimes unit that works more closely with the sexual assault investigation team be created;
- police and Crown prosecutors be given specific training as soon as they are assigned to deal with such crimes;
- more Crown prosecutors with specialized training be available;
- a memorandum should be written when the Crown decides there are insufficient grounds to lay a charge or feels there is no realistic chance of a conviction.
Segal made it clear that Parsons' complaint of sexual assault and cyberbullying was mishandled, and as early as one day later there were calls to implement his recommendations. "Simply making the report doesn't guarantee it happens. You need to have a number of people holding to account and seeing what's actually done", said Dalhousie law professor Wayne MacKay.
Reactions
Following the suicide, Rehtaeh Parsons's mother, Leah Parsons, went public with the story and started a memorial Facebook page called "Angel Rehtaeh." The blog of Rehtaeh's father, Glen Canning, also went viral. The story drew international attention and sparked outrage on the Internet, with CBC reporting the phrase "Nova Scotia" was "trending on Twitter worldwide."
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper commented on the case, saying he was "sickened" by the story and that the online bullying was "simply criminal activity." 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."
There are reports that members of the hacker group Anonymous involved itself in tracing the alleged perpetrators of the incidents Parsons suffered. In its news release, Anonymous blamed the death on "school teachers, administrators, the police and prosecutors, those who should have been role models in the late Rehtaeh's life." Later, Anonymous announced it would not publicize the names of the individuals it believed to be the rapists, in respect of the Parsons family's wishes. Leah Parsons had called for the case to be settled legally rather than by vigilantes.
Parsons' suicide and the circumstances surrounding it have been compared to those of British Columbian Amanda Todd and with Audrie Pott, a fifteen-year-old girl from Saratoga, California, United States, and appear to show similar characteristics. New laws are being considered after these events. Parsons has been described as a "victim of sexting".
After her suicide, posters appeared locally in support of the boys who allegedly attacked Parsons. The RCMP expressed concern that the posters might lead to vigilantism, although they did not name the accused.
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." Blatchford also wrote the photo did not show Parsons' face. In response, Parsons' father, Glen Canning, accused Blatchford of victim blaming and argued, "The two boys involved in taking and posing for the photograph stated Rehtaeh was throwing up when they had sex with her. That is not called consensual sex. That is called rape."
Legislative impact
In August 2013, Nova Scotia enacted a law allowing victims of cyberbullying to seek protection, including help in identifying anonymous perpetrators, and to sue the individuals or the parents in the case of minors. The law was passed in response to Parsons' suicide.
That law was quashed in 2015 by the Nova Scotia Supreme Court who ruled the law's definition of cyberbullying was too wide and infringed on Charter rights and freedom of expression.
A replacement law, the Intimate Images and Cyber-protection Act, was passed in 2017 and came into force in 2018.
Publication ban
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. 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. We believe it's in the public interest in this unique case, given the widespread recognition of 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." 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. 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.
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. The ban remains technically in place but unbiased reports about the case will not be subject to prosecution.
See also
- Cyberstalking legislation
- Harassment by computer
- Post-assault treatment of sexual assault victims
- Steubenville High School rape case
- Torrington High School rape case
- List of suicides that have been attributed to bullying
References
- "Rehtaeh Parsons' Mother". Maritime Noon With Norma Lee MacLeod. CBC Radio. April 9, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
- ^ "Rehtaeh Parsons Video Tribute Marks Life Of 'Angel' (VIDEO)," The Huffington Post Canada, April 9, 2013, URL accessed April 14, 2013.
- ^ Jauregui, Andres (April 9, 2013). "Rehtaeh Parsons, Canadian Girl, Dies After Suicide Attempt; Parents Allege She Was Raped By 4 Boys". The Huffington Post. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
- "Canadian teen commits suicide after alleged rape, bullying". CNN. April 10, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
- ^ Bazelon, Emily (April 10, 2013). "Sexting Scourge". Slate. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
- Ross, Selena. "Who failed Rehtaeh Parsons?". The Chronicle Herald. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
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- ^ "Rehtaeh Parsons Case Connected To Stabbing?," The Huffington Post Canada, April 16, 2013, URL accessed April 16, 2013.
- Ross, Selena. "Rehtaeh Parsons case prompts scrutiny of police, prosecution procedures". Retrieved October 4, 2014.
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- ^ CH: "Rehtaeh Parsons report: Review IWK, Capital Health programs", June 14, 2013.
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- ^ ottawasun.com: " Rehtaeh Parsons report calls for changes to Nova Scotia curriculum", June 14, 2013.
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- ^ macleans.ca: "Review: Crown decision in Rehtaeh Parsons’ case was reasonable>, October 8, 2015.
- ^ cbc.ca: "Rehtaeh Parsons report makes 17 recommendations", October 8, 2015.
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- ^ "Rehtaeh Parsons' mom calls for vigilantes to stop," CBC News, April 10, 2013, URL accessed April 13, 2013.
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- "Rehtaeh Parsons Suicide: Web Calls On Anonymous To Act After Nova Scotia Teen's Death (UPDATE: Anonymous Responds)". The Huffington Post Canada. April 10, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
Anonymous released a statement Wednesday, claiming to know the identities of some of Rehtaeh Parsons' alleged rapists.
- "'Anonymous' won't release names of Rehtaeh Parsons suspects," CBC News, April 12, 2013, URL accessed April 13, 2013.
- Tu Thanh Ha and Jane Taber, "Bullying blamed in death of Nova Scotia teen," The Globe and Mail, April 9, 2013, URL accessed April 26, 2013.
- "U.S. teen's death eerily similar to Rehtaeh Parsons' story - Nova Scotia - CBC News". CBC News. April 12, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
The case involving three U.S. teens arrested for sexual battery last week against a 15-year-old girl from California who took her own life is eerily similar to the tragedy involving Nova Scotia teen Rehtaeh Parsons, says attorney Robert Allard.
- "3 U.S. teens arrested for sexual battery after girl's suicide - World - CBC News". CBC News. April 12, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2013.
In Canada, authorities said they are looking further into the case of a 17-year-old girl who killed herself Sunday after an alleged rape and months of bullying. A photo said to be of the 2011 assault of Rehtaeh Parsons was shared online. She was 15 at the time.
- Patten, Melanie (April 18, 2013). "Rehtaeh Parsons case: RCMP worried posters supporting 4 boys could incite vigilantism". The Canadian Press. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
The RCMP say they're concerned posters that have appeared on Halifax streets in support of four boys accused of sexually assaulting Rehtaeh Parsons could incite vigilante behaviour against the teens. The brightly coloured posters bear the words, "Speak the Truth" in large, bold print and urge people to support the boys, though it does not identify them.
- Blatchford, Christie (April 26, 2013). "Christie Blatchford: Why there may never be a case against the alleged Rehtaeh Parsons rapists". National Post. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
- Cross, Allison (April 26, 2013). "'It's always about the victim': Rehtaeh Parsons' parents respond to Christie Blatchford's column". National Post. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
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- ^ Tutton, Michael (July 5, 2018). "New cyberbullying law can force removal of intimate images online". Nova Scotia. CBC.ca. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- BILL NO. 27 / Intimate Images and Cyber-protection Act. NSLegislature.ca. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- "Halifax police investigating violation of publication ban". Toronto Star. November 26, 2014. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
- "Rehtaeh Parsons' name can be published again — unless it's derogatory". National Post. December 17, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2015.