TORONTO – It’s been one year since Rehtaeh Parsons was taken off life support after a suicide attempt.
The 17-year-old’s story sparked a global conversation about cyberbullying and sexual assault. The teen’s family said she was subjected to months of bullying after a digital photo of her allegedly being sexually assaulted in November 2011 was passed around her school.
Earlier this week, Parsons’ father said there have been positive changes in the year since his daughter’s death, but more must be done to change the treatment of sexual assault victims in the justice system.
READ MORE: Father reflects on impact of daughter’s death
“There’s been an awful lot of positive things that have happened,” said Canning in a recent phone interview. “But I think now what we need to do is take that lead and that kind of conversation and turn it around and do to… sexual assault what we did with cyberbullying.”
VIDEO: Rehtaeh’s father speaks on anniversary of teen’s death
Currently, two teenage boys are facing child pornography charges. The matter is still before the courts and they cannot be named because they were under the age of 18 at the time of the alleged offences. Both are charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Canadians have been touched by the deaths of a number of teens tormented by online bullies, including 15-year-old Todd Loik, a Saskatchewan high school student, and 15-year-old B.C. student Amanda Todd, who took her own life after posting a YouTube video detailing harassment she said she endured for more than two years.
Tories craft ad campaign:
In November, the federal government introduced legislation that would make it illegal to distribute “intimate images” without consent, and make it easier to get such images scrubbed off the Internet.
READ MORE: New cyberbullying bill to prohibit sending ‘intimate images’ without consent
Back in January, the federal government announced that it would use television and online advertising to raise awareness about cyberbullying and the possible legal consequences of tormenting people.
READ MORE: Federal government targets cyberbullying in new TV, online ad campaign
The first phase of the campaign, called Stop Hating Online, includes television and online ads that focus on when cyberbullying amounts to criminal activity.
Nova Scotia’s Cyber-Safety Act:
On April 25, 2013, Nova Scotia introduced the Cyber-Safety Act—the country’s first cyber-investigative unit that allows families and victims to get protection orders from the court. The law also allows victims to file a legal action against cyberbullies. If the cyberbully is a minor, their parents could be liable for damages.
“For too long, cyberbullies have been able to torment others, knowing the authorities would have a hard time holding them accountable,” said Nova Scotia’s Justice Minister Ross Landry last year. “That is about to change. “This legislation will help identify cyberbullies who often hide behind IP addresses or off school grounds, and stop their harmful actions.”
National campaigns against bullying launched:
On Oct. 3, 2013, the Partners for Mental Health and the former Mental Health Commission Board Chair Michael Kirby, launched the Right By You campaign in hopes of drawing “attention to the fact that Canada is failing to meet the mental health needs of our children and youth with devastating consequences like youth suicide.”
READ MORE: Link between cyberbullying and teen suicides oversimplified: experts, parents
The campaign says that by Canadians lending their voice, action can be taken to secure greater funding for children and youth mental health services, treatment and support.
– with files from The Canadian Press
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