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| Todd's suicide received widespread, international media coverage, much of which included a link to Todd's YouTube video and an email address provided by the RCMP appealing for information from the public. Within 24 hours of the appeal, over 400 tips were received.<ref name="ctvnews.ca" /> The RCMP has stated that its investigation was hindered by the amount of false information in online postings after Todd's death, and scams claiming to raise money for her family.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/10/16/bc-amanda-todd-scam-websites.html|title=Amanda Todd probe delayed by online rumours, scams|publisher=CBC.ca|author=Alan Waterman, Canadian Press|date=October 17, 2012|accessdate=October 19, 2012}}</ref> | Todd's suicide received widespread, international media coverage, much of which included a link to Todd's YouTube video and an email address provided by the RCMP appealing for information from the public. Within 24 hours of the appeal, over 400 tips were received.<ref name="ctvnews.ca" /> The RCMP has stated that its investigation was hindered by the amount of false information in online postings after Todd's death, and scams claiming to raise money for her family.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/10/16/bc-amanda-todd-scam-websites.html|title=Amanda Todd probe delayed by online rumours, scams|publisher=CBC.ca|author=Alan Waterman, Canadian Press|date=October 17, 2012|accessdate=October 19, 2012}}</ref> | ||
| On October 19, 2012, a series of vigils was held across Canada and internationally to remember Todd and other victims of bullying.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/10/18/toronto-bullying-silence.html|title=Bullying victims remembered in vigils worldwide:Vigils, memorials follow suicide of B.C. teen Amanda Todd last week|publisher=CBC.ca|date=October 19, 2012|accessdate=October 19, 2012}}</ref> A ] was observed by a quarter of a million students in the ] district.<ref>{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Louise|title=Amanda Todd: Toronto students to remember bullied teen who committed suicide|url=http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1273960--amanda-todd-toronto-students-to-remember-bullied-teen-who-committed-suicide|accessdate=20 October 2012|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=18 October 2012|location=Toronto ON|page=2}}</ref> On that same date, Todd's mother was a guest of the 2012 ] event in Vancouver, a week after Todd's death. Bullying had been scheduled as a topic prior to Todd's death and was addressed by speakers ], musician and anti-bullying advocate ], and British Columbia Premier ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theprovince.com/news/Premier+tells+kids+stand+change+against+bullying/7410549/story.html|title=Amanda Todd's death felt at We Day event in Vancouver|publisher=The Province|date=October 19, 2012|author=James Keller, Canadian Press|accessdate=October 19, 2012}}</ref> | On October 19, 2012, a series of vigils was held across Canada and internationally to remember Todd and other victims of bullying.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/10/18/toronto-bullying-silence.html|title=Bullying victims remembered in vigils worldwide:Vigils, memorials follow suicide of B.C. teen Amanda Todd last week|publisher=CBC.ca|date=October 19, 2012|accessdate=October 19, 2012}}</ref> A ] was observed by a quarter of a million students in the ] district.<ref>{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Louise|title=Amanda Todd: Toronto students to remember bullied teen who committed suicide|url=http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1273960--amanda-todd-toronto-students-to-remember-bullied-teen-who-committed-suicide|accessdate=20 October 2012|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=18 October 2012|location=Toronto ON|page=2}}</ref> On that same date, Todd's mother was a guest of the 2012 ] event in Vancouver, a week after Todd's death. Bullying had been scheduled as a topic prior to Todd's death and was addressed by speakers ], musician and anti-bullying advocate ], and British Columbia Premier ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theprovince.com/news/Premier+tells+kids+stand+change+against+bullying/7410549/story.html|title=Amanda Todd's death felt at We Day event in Vancouver|publisher=The Province|date=October 19, 2012|author=James Keller, Canadian Press|accessdate=October 19, 2012}}{{dead link}}</ref> | ||
| Initially, Amanda Todd's mother was denied entry to an anti-bullying conference for fear that it would upset other attendees.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ferreras|first=Jesse|title=Amanda Todd's Mother, Carol Todd, Excluded From Anti-Bullying Conference|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/11/14/carol-todd-amanda-todd-mother-anti-bullying-conference_n_2130424.html|work=Huffpost British Columbia|publisher=HPMG News|accessdate=18 November 2012}}</ref> The family was invited to attend later events.<ref>{{cite web|title=Amanda Todd Memorial Set For Sunday|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/11/17/amanda-todd-memorial_n_2151479.html|work=Huffpost British Columbia|publisher=HPMG News|accessdate=18 November 2012}}</ref> | Initially, Amanda Todd's mother was denied entry to an anti-bullying conference for fear that it would upset other attendees.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ferreras|first=Jesse|title=Amanda Todd's Mother, Carol Todd, Excluded From Anti-Bullying Conference|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/11/14/carol-todd-amanda-todd-mother-anti-bullying-conference_n_2130424.html|work=Huffpost British Columbia|publisher=HPMG News|accessdate=18 November 2012}}</ref> The family was invited to attend later events.<ref>{{cite web|title=Amanda Todd Memorial Set For Sunday|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/11/17/amanda-todd-memorial_n_2151479.html|work=Huffpost British Columbia|publisher=HPMG News|accessdate=18 November 2012}}</ref> | ||
Revision as of 07:00, 11 April 2013
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| Location | Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada |
|---|---|
| Cause | Suicide by hanging |
| Inquest | British Columbia Coroners Service |
| Coroner | Barb McLintock |
Amanda Todd committed suicide on October 10, 2012, at her home in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. Prior to her death, Todd posted a video on YouTube in which she used a series of flash cards to tell of her experience of being blackmailed, bullied, and physically assaulted. The video went viral after her death, resulting in international media attention.
Amanda Michelle Todd was born in British Columbia on November 27, 1996. At the time of her death, she was a grade 10 student at CABE Secondary in Coquitlam, a school that caters to students who have experienced social and behavior issues in previous educational settings.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and British Columbia Coroners Service launched investigations into the suicide.
In response to the death, Christy Clark, the Premier of British Columbia, made an online statement of condolence suggesting a national discussion on criminalizing cyberbullying. Also, a motion was introduced in the Canadian House of Commons to propose a study of the scope of bullying in Canada, and for more funding and support for anti-bullying organizations. Todd's mother, Carol, established the Amanda Todd Trust, receiving donations to support anti-bullying awareness education and programs for young people with mental health problems.
Background and suicide
On September 7, 2012, Todd posted a 9-minute YouTube video entitled My Story: Struggling, bullying, suicide and self harm, which showed her using a series of flash cards to tell of her experiences being bullied. The video post went viral, receiving over 1,600,000 views by October 13, 2012, with online newspapers around the world linking to it.
During the video, Todd writes that when she was in Grade 7, she used video chat to meet new people over the Internet and she received compliments on her looks. A stranger convinced Todd to bare her breasts on camera. The individual later blackmailed her with threats to expose the topless photo to her friends unless she gave a "show."
Todd wrote that during the next Christmas break, police informed her at 4:00 a.m. that the photo was circulating on the Internet. Todd wrote that she experienced anxiety, depression, and panic disorder because of this. Her family moved to a new home, where Todd later stated that she began using drugs and alcohol.
A year later, the individual reappeared, creating a Facebook profile which used the topless photograph as the profile image, and contacting classmates at her new school. Again Todd was teased, eventually changing schools for a second time. She wrote that she began chatting to "an old guy friend" who appeared to her. The friend asked Todd to come to his house where they had sex while his girlfriend was on holiday. The following week, the girlfriend and a group of others attacked Todd at school while shouting insults and punching her to the ground. Following the attack, Todd attempted suicide by drinking bleach, but she was rushed to hospital to have her stomach pumped.
After returning home, Todd discovered abusive messages about her failed suicide attempt posted to Facebook. Her family moved to another city to start afresh, but Todd was unable to escape the past. According to her mother, "Every time she moved schools he would go undercover and become a Facebook friend. What the guy did was he went online to the kids who went to (the new school) and said that he was going to be a new student — that he was starting school the following week and that he wanted some friends and could they friend him on Facebook. He eventually gathered people’s names and sent Amanda’s video to her new school", including students, teachers, and parents. Six months later, further messages and abuse were still being posted to social networking sites. Todd's mental state worsening, she began to engage in self-mutilation. Despite taking anti-depressants and receiving counselling, she took an overdose and spent two days in hospital.
Todd was teased by other students at her school for her low grades, a consequence of a language-based learning disability and for the time she spent in the hospital to treat her severe depression.
On October 10, 2012, at about 6:00 PM (PDT), Todd was found hanged at her home.
Investigation
A preliminary investigation by British Columbia Coroners Service show that Todd's death was a suicide. Investigators know the means by which she died, but will not release the information. The cause of death has been reported in the media as hanging.
Both the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and British Columbia Coroners Service have launched an investigation with 20 full-time investigators working on the case. The Coquitlam and Ridge Meadows' serious crime teams are cooperating in a full investigation, conducting interviews and examining possible potential factors that may have contributed to her death.
Investigators are reviewing content at social media sites, and are actively monitoring pages.
The Canadian national organization Cybertip.ca reports having received a tip about Todd nearly one year ago. The anti-child-exploitation group stated that in November 2011, a concerned citizen reported that images of Todd were in circulation on the Internet. That information was provided to law enforcement as well as child welfare agencies.
Reaction
Todd's suicide received widespread, international media coverage, much of which included a link to Todd's YouTube video and an email address provided by the RCMP appealing for information from the public. Within 24 hours of the appeal, over 400 tips were received. The RCMP has stated that its investigation was hindered by the amount of false information in online postings after Todd's death, and scams claiming to raise money for her family.
On October 19, 2012, a series of vigils was held across Canada and internationally to remember Todd and other victims of bullying. A minute of silence was observed by a quarter of a million students in the Toronto District School Board district. On that same date, Todd's mother was a guest of the 2012 We Day event in Vancouver, a week after Todd's death. Bullying had been scheduled as a topic prior to Todd's death and was addressed by speakers Magic Johnson, musician and anti-bullying advocate Demi Lovato, and British Columbia Premier Christy Clark.
Initially, Amanda Todd's mother was denied entry to an anti-bullying conference for fear that it would upset other attendees. The family was invited to attend later events.
On November 18, 2012, 600 people gathered at a final farewell ceremony for Todd at Red Robinson Show Theatre in Coquitlam, near her home. Todd's mother Carol told the gathering that her daughter has left behind “a larger than life message that has sparked the world and has made it open its eyes, its ears and its hearts.”
Internet hacking and activist group Anonymous alleged a 32-year-old man was Todd's alleged blackmailer and main tormentor. The group published the Vancouver-area man's name and address on the Internet, resulting in the man's receipt of online threats of vigilante justice. After investigating the tip, police determined that the allegations were unfounded, and said that "false information that is being spread by people who appear to be trying to use Amanda’s story to do harm or make a profit" was one of the challenges they faced.
According to an interview with the Vancouver Sun, the publication of his identity on social media sites has resulted in over 50 emails and "thousands" of Facebook death threats. A member of Anonymous had attempted to dissuade the group from publishing the information, saying that they had the right person, but that the address being published belonged to someone else, not the target. Slate reported that the person who was actually responsible turned out to be 19 rather than 32.
Social media
Since Todd's suicide, more than one million Facebook users have "liked" her Facebook memorial page. Mingled among the positive support and comments are continuing attack posts and images from strangers and those claiming to be her former classmates, such as a message stating "I'm so happy she's dead now." After one man's derogatory Facebook comments about Todd's death were reported to his employer, the Grafton-Fraser Mr. Big & Tall clothing chain confirmed that he was no longer an employee.
On October 19, 2012, police in New Zealand said they were questioning a 17-year-old boy from Raglan who allegedly posted "inappropriate and disturbing images" on a memorial page for Todd. Police removed the images and shut down the boy's Facebook page.
Amanda Todd Trust
Todd's mother, Carol, has established the Amanda Todd Trust at the Royal Bank of Canada, receiving donations to support anti-bullying awareness education and programs for young people with mental health problems. A week after Todd's death, ABC News reported that fraudulent websites had been set up claiming to solicit donations, quoting a statement by Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sgt. Peter Thiessen. "Taking advantage of a family's grief is despicable... We want to get the word out that there is one real account and anyone who is interested can make a donation at any RBC branch to the Amanda Todd Trust Account."
Parliamentary motion
In response to the death of Todd, a motion was introduced in the Canadian House of Commons by member of parliament Dany Morin of the New Democratic Party. The motion proposed a study of the scope of bullying in Canada, and for more funding and support for anti-bullying organizations. It was also intended to lay the groundwork for a national strategy to prevent bullying. Morin had also experienced bullying while in school.
See also
Portal:
References
- "Amanda Todd tribute honours life of bullied teen". News. Calgary, CA: CBC. November 18, 2012. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
After she died, the video gained worldwide recognition and registered more than six million hits, and copies of the video re-posted to YouTube have since gained at least 16 million additional hits.
- Cahute, Larissa. "Amanda Todd: Hundreds hear tributes from family, friends, teachers". The province. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- "Amanda Todd celebrated in 'the birthday party she wanted'". The Tri-City News. July 14, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- Associated Press (2012‐10‐12). "Canadian teen found dead weeks after posting wrenching YouTube video detailing bullying". Fox News. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Luymes, Glenda (March 25, 2002). "Cyberbullying: Outpouring of grief over teen's suicide (with video)". The province. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
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Amanda Todd, was found hanged in her home in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada, last Wednesday, one month before her 16th birthday.
- Penny, Laurie (October 18, 2012). "It's too late for Amanda Todd, but we must out the cyber-bullies - Comment - Voices - The Independent". The Independent. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
Amanda Todd, a 15-year-old Canadian schoolgirl hanged herself, last week, after years of unrelenting abuse by peers and online predators, one of whom persuaded her to flash her breasts and then shared the picture around the world.
- Agomuoh, Fionna (October 15, 2012). "Amanda Todd Suicide Doesn't End Cyber Torment For Ridiculed Teen". International Business Times. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
Amanda Todd of British Columbia apparently hanged herself on Oct. 10 after a grave mistake followed her for the rest of her brief life.
- Ryall, Jenni (October 17, 2012). "Anonymous outs bully they claim drove Amanda Todd to suicide, mum says leave her family alone". News Limited. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
Amanda Todd, from Vancouver, Canada, was found hanged in her home on October 10, weeks after she uploaded a video to YouTube that describes - via a series of note cards - her treatment at the hands of a cyber bully.
{{cite news}}: Text "News.com.au" ignored (help) - ^ "Global BC | RCMP launch full investigation into Amanda Todd's death". Globaltvbc.com. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
- ^ Amanda Todd's alleged tormentor named by hacker group - British Columbia - CBC News
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- Brown, Louise (October 18, 2012). "Amanda Todd: Toronto students to remember bullied teen who committed suicide". Toronto Star. Toronto ON. p. 2. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
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{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - Facebook memorial draws more than 700,000 likes (with video)
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