REGINA – The fallout from cyberbullying has prompted a political response, but Thursday, leaders of both Saskatchewan parties spoke not as politicians, but as fathers.
“Everyone who spoke in the house today is also a parent,” said Premier Brad Wall. “I think when we hear about these stories the first reaction is anger; you know you feel real anger that this could possibly, possibly happen.”
Amendments to the criminal code which would make it illegal to post intimate photos without consent are being debated in Ottawa this week after the suicides of two teenage girls – Rehtaeh Parsons in Nova Scotia and Amanda Todd in British Columbia. Both took their own lives after allegedly being harassed when sexual photos of them surfaced online.
Both sides of the Saskatchewan legislature voted Thursday in favour of a motion to show support for the amendments.
“We need to make sure the legislation is up to date with where technology is at, but there needs to be a much broader strategy, helping parents know what they should talk to kids about, helping teachers do a better job, helping law enforcement do a better job,” said Leader of the Opposition, Cam Broten.
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The Canadian Centre for Child Protection launched the website needhelpnow.ca last week in response to the large number of complaints they’ve received from children in similar situations.
“We never anticipated to see the explosion of peer, self-peer exploitation,” said Associate Executive Director, Signy Arnason.
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The site is intended to give advice to youth, like what steps to take to launch a complaint and how to take an unwanted photo down. The centre says gaps may exist in the criminal code but a culture of victim blaming also needs to be addressed.
At the U of R Women’s Centre, campaigns are underway to change the conversation.
“We don’t teach men not to rape, we teach women how not to get raped – don’t walk in a back alley at night, make sure you have pepper spray, or hairspray,” – and don’t drink too much at parties, explained Executive Director Kim Karpa.
Karpa believes it’s time that attitude changed – online and off.
“Then you see this young woman who has committed suicide…because of the shame that is brought upon her,” she said.
She said new legislation may help the situation, but the important thing is that it sends a message this type of behaviour is not acceptable.
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