WATCH: Nova Scotia’s Minister of Justice announces independent review of Rehtaeh Parsons case
HALIFAX – Rehtaeh Parsons was a Nova Scotia teenager who was 17 when she was taken off life-support following a suicide attempt in April. Her family alleges she was sexually assaulted by four boys in November 2011. They say the teen was then bullied for months after a digital photo of the alleged assault was passed around her school in Halifax.
Here is a chronology of events in the case:
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. Her family says Rehtaeh was then bullied for months after a digital photo of the alleged attack was passed around her school in Halifax.
For our full coverage of the Rehtaeh Parsons case, click here
April 9 – Leah Parsons speaks out about her daughter’s death, saying she is dissatisfied with the RCMP’s investigation of allegations her daughter was sexually assaulted.
April 9 – Nova Scotia Justice Minister Ross Landry says he doesn’t plan to order an independent review of the RCMP’s handling of the Parsons case, adding: “In regards to the issue of second-guessing the police at every case, no, I’m not going to do that.” Later the same day, Landry says the government will look for ways to review the RCMP investigation.
April 11 – People fill a Halifax park to remember Parsons at a vigil and call for an end to violence against young women and girls.
April 12 – The RCMP says it is reopening its investigation of the Parsons case after receiving new evidence, just hours after RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson expresses concerns about “vigilante justice” following the teenager’s death.
WATCH: Friends and family gather for Rehtaeh Parsons’ funeral
April 15 – Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter says the province will launch an independent review of the RCMP’s original investigation of allegations made by Parsons.
April 18 – Nova Scotia appoints two experts to review how the Halifax Regional School Board, the Capital District Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre responded to the Parsons case.
April 24 – Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets with members of Parsons’ family in Ottawa and in question period says it is time to speak out against the notion some people have that anything goes on the Internet. Harper says his government will fast-track efforts to create an anti-cyberbullying law.
READ MORE: Justice Minister calls for quick action against cyberbullying
April 25 – The Saskatchewan government and Opposition NDP unanimously pass a motion supporting federal efforts to combat cyberbullying, including changes to the Criminal Code that would make it an offence to share intimate images without consent. The motion was prompted by the cases of Parsons and British Columbia teen Amanda Todd, who took her life in 2012 after being sexually exploited online.
May 10 – Harper meets with the relatives of four teenage girls who died after being cyberbullied or lured online. Parsons’ father Glen Canning says Harper promised to take action during the meeting.
June 6 – The Nova Scotia government appoints a director to lead a team of five investigators who will investigate cyberbullying. The creation of the team was announced following Parsons’ death.
June 14 – A review by two experts says the Halifax Regional School Board could have done more to help Parsons, but it was hindered by the fact she was often truant. It also recommended that schools should improve their information-sharing policies because a school Parsons transferred to didn’t receive enough information about her from a previous school.
June 25 – The Nova Scotia government appoints an independent expert to review mental health programs and policies at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax after an earlier report on the Parsons case raised concerns about the hospital.
July 19 – A report by the federal and provincial governments says the Criminal Code should be changed to make it illegal to distribute intimate photos without someone’s consent. Justice Minister Peter MacKay says he needs time to study the report.
READ MORE: First-in-Canada law allows N.S. cyberbullying victims to sue, seek protection
Aug. 7 – A new law takes effect in Nova Scotia allowing people to sue if they or their children are being cyberbullied. Victims can also seek a protection order that could place restrictions on or help identify the cyberbully.
WATCH: Interview with Rehtaeh’s father, Glen Canning
Aug. 8 – Two 18-year-old men are charged in the case. One is charged with two counts of distributing child pornography and the other is charged with making and distributing child pornography.
READ MORE: Former Ontario official to review Nova Scotia justice system in Parsons case
Aug. 12 – A former Ontario prosecutor and civil servant is appointed by the Nova Scotia government to conduct an independent review of the handling of the case by police and the provincial Public Prosecution Service. Murray Segal, who was Ontario’s deputy attorney general, is asked to make recommendations by April 1.
Comments