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| Date | October 10, 2012 (2012-10-10) |
|---|---|
| Location | Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada |
| Deaths | Amanda Todd |
Amanda Michelle Todd (November 27, 1996 – October 10, 2012) was a Canadian teenager who committed suicide attributed to cyber-bullying through the social networking website Facebook. On 7 September 2012, 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. In it she mentions sending an image of her breasts to a man who later circulated it around the internet.
Shortly before 6:00 pm on October 10, 2012, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were called to her home in Port Coquitlam, to investigate what they refer to as a "sudden death". They have since launched a full investigation into Todd's death. Police are conducting interviews, reviewing content at social media sites, and are actively monitoring pages.
Christy Clark, the Premier of British Columbia, made an online statement of condolence suggesting a national discussion be made discussing criminalizing cyber-bullying.
Todd was a 10th-grade student at CABE Secondary in Coquitlam.
Background and suicide
On 7 September 2012, Todd posted a 9-minute YouTube video entitled My Story: Struggling, bullying, suicide and self harm, in which she used a series of flash cards to tell of her experience of being bullied. The video post went viral, receiving over 1,600,000 views by 13 October 2012, with online newspapers around the world linking to it.
During the video Todd says that, during seventh grade, she used video chat to meet new people over the internet, where 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 says that police informed her, during the next Christmas break, that the photo was circulating the internet. The news caused her to experience anxiety, major depression and panic disorder. Her family moved home, but she began to take drugs and alcohol. Her anxiety worsened and she couldn't leave the house.
A year later the individual reappeared, creating a Facebook profile with the topless photograph as the profile image. Again Todd was teased, and eventually changed school for a second time. Happier, she says she began chatting to "an old guy friend" who appeared to like her. The friend asked Todd to come to his house, where they had sex, whilst his girlfriend was on holiday. The following week the girlfriend and a group of others attacked Todd at school; shouting insults and punching her to the ground. Following the incident Todd attempted suicide by drinking bleach, but was rushed to hospital to have her stomach pumped.
After returning home Todd discovered abusive messages about the incident posted to Facebook. Her family moved to another city to start afresh, but Todd was unable to escape the past. Six months later further messages and abuse were still being posted to social networking sites. She began cutting herself and her anxiety was getting worse. Despite taking anti-depressants and receiving counselling, she took an overdose and spent two days in hospital.
On October 10 at about 6:00 PM local time, Todd was found dead at her home.
Investigation
A preliminary investigation by B.C. Coroners Service show that Todd's death was a suicide. Investigators know the means by which she died, but will not release the information.
Both the RCMP and B.C. 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.
Tips
Internet hacking and activist group Anonymous has identified a 32-year-old man as Todd's alleged blackmailer and main tormentor. The group published the Vancouver-area man's name and address on the Internet. The man has since received online threats of vigilante justice.
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, many of which including a video link to the YouTube message, 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.
Social media
On October 13, 2012, the term R.I.P Amanda Todd began trending worldwide on social networking site Twitter. Since the posting of the YouTube video, more than 900,000 Facebook users had "liked" Todd’s Facebook memorial page. Among the positive support and comments were continuing attack posts and images by strangers and former classmates, one being from someone identifying herself as a former classmate posting "I’m so happy she’s dead now." On 15 October 2012, her message was featured on YouTube's homepage.
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 support programs for young people with mental health problems.
Parliamentary motion
In response to the death of Todd, a motion will be introduced in the Canadian House of Commons by member of parliament Dany Morin of the New Democratic Party. The motion will propose a study of the scope of bullying in Canada, and for more funding and support for anti-bullying organizations. It is also intended to lay the groundwork for a national strategy to prevent bullying. Morin had also experienced bullying while in school.
See also
- Bullycide
- Cyberbullying
- Stalking
- Blackmail
- Exploitation
- Child Abuse
- Cyberstalking legislation
- Harassment by computer
- Suicide of Ryan Halligan
- Suicide of Phoebe Prince
- Suicide of Tyler Clementi
- Suicide of Jamey Rodemeyer
References
- "RCMP announces investigation into death of Amanda Todd". Digitaljournal.com. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
- ^ Associated Press. "Canadian teen found dead weeks after posting wrenching YouTube video detailing bullying". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
- "Amanda Todd's suicide to be investigated by RCMP | Canada | News | National Post". News.nationalpost.com. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
- Shaw, Gillian. "Port Coquitlam teen driven to death by cyberbullying (with video)". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
- Coquitlam. "Update on sudden death of Port Coquitlam teen". Bc.rcmp-grc.gc.ca. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
- Crawford, Tiffany. "Death of bullied teen Amanda Todd being investigated by RCMP". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
- "RCMP launch investigation into death of bullied B.C. teen". CTV News. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- "After Amanda Todd's death, Christy Clark says new laws may be needed to combat bullying". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- Luymes, Glenda (2002-03-25). "Cyberbullying: Outpouring of grief over teen's suicide (with video)". Theprovince.com. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
- ^ "Online bullying of B.C. teen continues amid police probe | CTV News". Ctvnews.ca. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ "Death of bullied teen Amanda Todd being investigated by RCMP". Vancouversun.com. 2012-09-05. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
- ^ "Bullied Canadian teen leaves behind chilling YouTube video - CNN.com". Edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
- Villalva, Brittney R. (14 October 2012). "Amanda Todd: 15-Year-Old Tells Story of Bullying and Suicide Before Death". christianpost.com. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
- Keneally, Meghan. "Tragedy as girl, 15, kills herself just one month after posting desperate YouTube plea begging bullies to stop tormenting her". Daily Mail. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- "Port Coquitlam teen driven to death by cyberbullying (with video)". Vancouver Sun. October 12, 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
- ^ "Global BC | RCMP launch full investigation into Amanda Todd's death". Globaltvbc.com. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
- ^ Amanda Todd's alleged tormentor named by hacker group - British Columbia - CBC News
- Facebook memorial draws more than 700,000 likes (with video)
- "Facebook - R.I.P Amanda Todd". Retrieved 15 October 2012.
- Shaw, Gillian. "Mother wants Amanda Todd's video to help others". Calgaryherald.com. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- In wake of Amanda Todd suicide, MPs to debate anti-bullying motion | CTV News