Independent review into handling of Rehtaeh Parsons case to be released

HALIFAX – The independent review into the treatment of the high-profile Rehtaeh Parsons case by police and the Public Prosecution Service is expected to be released Thursday afternoon.

The review, done by former lawyer Murray Segal, began in 2013 and is expected to look at various aspects of the case that involved the sharing of explicit images of Parsons by two young men.

Segal was hired to determine whether the police investigation complied with all training, policies, procedures and guidelines in place at the time of the investigation, including guidelines and procedures regarding investigations of allegations of sexual assault, child pornography and other offences related to cyberbullying, the length of time it took to conduct the investigation, advice given to the Public Prosecution Service by police, among other factors.

READ MORE: Review into Rehtaeh Parsons case resumes

Rhetaeh Parsons, 17, was taken off life-support after at attempt to take her own life in April of 2013, after her parents say she was the target of months of bullying, specifically online. The teen was bullied after a digital image of her being sexually assaulted was passed around her school. She was 15 at the time of the assault.

In a statement posted on his website Thursday, Parsons’ father Glen Canning wrote that his daughter was failed by the justice system, and that, “there is no excuse for someone so young to lose faith like that.”

“Hopefully today will help heal the bitterness and anger and for the first time in years I can look ahead instead of behind,” the statement reads.

Police charged two men in connection with the sharing of the images. One man, age 20, pleaded guilty to distributing a sexually graphic image of Parsons and was ordered to attend counselling, not contact the Parsons family and not to drink or possess alcohol, among other conditions.

The second man, also age 20, pleaded guilty to making child pornography by taking a photo of the accused having sex with the girl.

The identity of both men has been protected because they were minors at the time they committed the crimes in 2011.

READ MORE: 2nd man who pleaded guilty in Rehtaeh Parsons case gets probation

Parsons’ death sparked a widespread discussion about cyberbullying, cyber safety, and prompted the establishment of a cyber-safety act.

There was also much debate over the eventual use of her name in publication. Originally, because Parsons was a minor at the time she was assaulted, her name was protected by a mandatory publication ban. However her case had garnered so much attention Nova Scotia Attorney General eventually allowed her name to be used.

READ MORE: Rhetaeh Parsons’ father relieved he can use daughter’s name again

The report, as well as a statement from Segal is expected at 1 p.m AT today.

More to come.

With files from The Canadian Press.