Victim of rape kills herself as her rapists go uncharged

[bluelady]

http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1122 ... eh-parsons

Not breaking link as it's a news site.

A 17 year old girl was raped by four boys in Nova Scotia. They took pictures and/or video and shared it. She needed to change schools due to cyberbullying - boys asking her for sex and girls calling her a slut. The RCMP dragged their feet and did next to nothing for a year. Called the "sharing" of the picture/video sharing a 'community issue' and not a crime.

Last week, Rehtaeh, the young girl, tried to hang herself in her family's bathroom. Three days ago, her parents took her off life support.

I was ENRAGED when we were talking about what happened in Stubenville. Little did I know the same thing happened less than an hour from where I live. I would LOVE to ask the RCMP how the distribution of video evidence of a CRIME against a MINOR is a community issue and not a criminal one. Enraged doesn't begin to describe how I feel right now.

A blog post written by her father:

http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1122 ... y-daughter

(link not broken - linked through a news site)

[Claddagh]

Such a heartbreaking story. :cry:

My condolences go to her family.

[sparkles]

I'm in tears right now. That blog post was absolutely heartbreaking. If there is, in fact, a hell I hope there's a special place reserved for the animals who commit these crimes and for those who condone it as well.

[ILoveJellybeans]

Thats horrible :(

[Foxxit]

I have a lot of sympathy and empathy for this girl and her family. I was abused myself as a child, and no one believed me. Luckily I wasn't slut-shamed like she was. I hate how we humans as a whole don't seem to have any emotion towards victims less we can benefit from it.

There is something very wrong in this world.

[starfish]

In the states, it would be considered child pornography and punishable by fairly severe federal laws. That's just for having and showing the video. The rape itself would be prosecuted separately by state entities.

This is beyond sad. I would be outraged, but I'm too sad. It reminds of the gang-rape of the 11 year old in Cleveland, Tx. It was only discovered because some of the rapists showed off the video. They were all charged with rape, but I think they should be charged in federal court with possession and distribution of child pornography. Trials in state court are on-going. Rape apology abounds for those jerks. Federal court doesn't mess around with child pornography and I'd love to see the US attorney in Houston take on the case.

[snarkyjan]

It was announced on facebook that ANONYMOUS has identified two of the rapists, and will name all four of them as soon as they identify the other two. I hope so, these subcreatures need to be named and shamed.

[jjmennonite]

In Canada it is also distribution of child pornography. Her dad asks that question in his blog - why was it not prosecuted as such. This is heartbreaking. I went to her mom's memorial facebook page and it has >22000 likes.

ww.facebook.com/pages/Angel-Rehtaeh/352644484835299?fref=ts

On March 3, Rehtaeh posted a photo of herself on Facebook next to a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.:

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.â€

This is so sad. I am not proud to be Canadian today - land of Amanda Todd and now Rehtaeh.

[bluelady]

In the states, it would be considered child pornography and punishable by fairly severe federal laws. That's just for having and showing the video. The rape itself would be prosecuted separately by state entities.

This is beyond sad. I would be outraged, but I'm too sad. It reminds of the gang-rape of the 11 year old in Cleveland, Tx. It was only discovered because some of the rapists showed off the video. They were all charged with rape, but I think they should be charged in federal court with possession and distribution of child pornography. Trials in state court are on-going. Rape apology abounds for those jerks. Federal court doesn't mess around with child pornography and I'd love to see the US attorney in Houston take on the case.

See, now, that's what I don't understand. I'm a public school teacher and a few years back, I was teaching high school in a different province. One of our Grade 9 girls sent a naked picture of herself to one of our Grade 12 boys. He promptly sent it on to his friends. We, as a school personnel, found out about it when the Sex Crimes unit of our city police force showed up to talk to the original boy in question, as well as his friends. He was on the line for being charged with the possession and distribution of child porn and, with him being 18, he was looking at being charged as an adult.

Now, I'm not trying to minimize that story, because I know there were a lot of factors that made the girl think she needed to send naked pictures of herself to a boy to make him like her, HOWEVER I don't understand how that could be taken so seriously while arguably worse pictures, ones that are potential evidence to a crime, are considered a community issue. It makes no sense.

[wtylcf]

jjmennonite, I am also scratching my head over why police were so dismissive of Rehtaeh's complaints and why the school did nothing to help. It took police 10 months to talk to the boys who distributed child porn images? The school did not think it should crack down on the images being circulated or "intervene in the police investigation?" Sure, the images were on mobile devices, but ask around the school and I'm pretty sure you could find some kids who would know who was behind the initial harassment. Those kids should have at least been suspended, as well as charged with child porn possession and distribution. Shouldn't part of the student code of conduct include a non-harassment clause against fellow students?

I would never condone vigilante justice against the juvenile perpetrators, but I can fully understand the desire for it. When the system does nothing, and its response to this horrible tragedy is that it will eventually launch an in-classroom bullying prevention program, you know, once the federal government gets its act together, it's apparent that Rehtaeh continues to be failed by the system. How many more young women have to die before their complaints get taken seriously? How can a young woman be harassed so severely that she has to change schools, and yet her parents are her only advocates?

[MamaJunebug]

I'm sick at heart.

Praying for Anonymous to do what they do best.

"Sub-creatures" is a good word for those less-than-beasts.

And the authorities who shrugged at it - may their consciences eat away at them.

[wtylcf]

Anonymous's public statement below:

UPDATE: Anonymous released a statement Wednesday, claiming to know the identities of some of Rehtaeh Parsons’ alleged rapists. The statement said the following:

"Anonymous has confirmed the identities of two of the four alleged rapists. We are currently confirming a third and it is only a matter of time before the fourth is identified as well.

Our demands are simple: We want the N.S. RCMP to take immediate legal action against the individuals in question. We encourage you to act fast. If we were able to locate these boys within 2 hours, it will not be long before someone else finds them.

We do not approve of vigilante justice as the media claims. That would mean we approve of violent actions against these rapists at the hands of an unruly mob. What we want is justice. And That's your job. So do it.

The names of the rapists will be kept until it is apparent you have no intention of providing justice to Retaeh's family. Please be aware that there are other groups of Anons also attempting to uncover this information and they may not to wish to wait at all. Better act fast."

I do appreciate how they state they do NOT want vigilante justice, but are merely trying to escalate the situation so the RCMP gets its act together and begins a serious investigation. The officers who let this slide should be completely ashamed of themselves, and hopefully with the barrage of media about the case, they will be pressured into doing the right thing.

[Sobeknofret]

My deepest condolences to her family. Such a beautiful girl and such a senseless crime. There should be an investigation of the RCMP officers involved in this investigation.

[GenerationCedarchip]

It was announced on facebook that ANONYMOUS has identified two of the rapists, and will name all four of them as soon as they identify the other two. I hope so, these subcreatures need to be named and shamed.

And prosecuted!!

[sparkles]

Named, shamed, charged, prosecuted and convicted. And for the rest of their lives forced to tell the world what they did. Lisbeth Salander had the right idea: tattoo "I am a rapist pig" on every fucking piece of scum who touches a woman or child--or man for that matter--without her consent. Only maybe tattoo it on their forehead instead of their chest.

[MissBeaufort]

That blog post made me cry. So powerful- and so maddeningly confusing that the RCMP could stand by while it happened. Normally I am proud to be Canadian, but today, I am ashamed.

[tropaka]

Anonymous has changed their tone/tactics a bit in response to the victim's mother:

http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/04/11 ... sons-case/

One day after threatening to release the identities of four boys allegedly involved in the gang rape of teenager Rehtaeh Parsons, the hacktivist group Anonymous has issued a blistering attack on Nova Scotia Justice Minister Ross Landry and other authority figures over their decision not to prosecute in the case.

“What we have learned is certainly appalling, but it wasn’t the act of rape that shocked us. It was the behavior of the adults in Rehtaeh’s life that we found most disturbing,†the Anonymous group “Operation Justice for Rehtaeh†said in a Thursday morning press release that took aim at “school teachers, administrators, the police and prosecutors.â€

“All of you have created a mess and instead of taking responsibility and cleaning it up, the first thing you did yesterday morning was get on television and defend your jobs. You have taught the young men in your community a terrible lesson: rape is easy.â€

Anonymous said that they had received “dozens of e-mails†from teenagers and adults alike that recalled the four alleged attackers openly bragging about “the rape of an inebriated 15-year-old girl†and questioned why police and the Crown said they did not have enough evidence to push forward with charges.

Parsons’ father, Glen Canning, made similar accusations in a heartbreaking blog post.

“How is it possible for someone to leave a digital trail like that yet the RCMP don’t have evidence of a crime?†he wrote. “What were they looking for if photos and bragging weren’t enough?â€

Parsons died Sunday after attempting suicide last Thursday. Her parents have said she bullied mercilessly after a picture of the alleged assault was passed around Cole Harbour District High School and her community. She eventually moved to Halifax but was later hospitalized for six weeks when it was feared she would harm herself.

Anonymous says it has the names of all four boys and their locations, but says they will not release the names out of respect for Leah Parsons, who told the media she did not want people to go after the alleged perpetrators.

“At this time we can honestly say we’re confident we know the identities of the people involved in Rehtaeh’s rape. It would probably take us a lot longer to come up with a list of the people responsible for her death. We hope you all find some way to sleep at night,†it said.

Police did not lay charges in the incident. The RCMP says they sought the advice of the Crown which said there was “insufficient evidence†for a reasonable chance of a conviction.

Where are the child porn charges here? Good God, I just realized my nieces attended this high school.

[Jana814]

Such a sad story!

[moodygirl86]

Damn, that is sad. The poor girl had her life ruined by those scumbags.

[crazyforkate]

Outraged. Horrified. Not at all surprised. This is the kind of world the patriarchy enables.

[Mom23Girls]

As a mom in Nova Scotia who has three daughters I am frightened that the Crown could say there's not enough proof. What more do they want, a confession? I'm seeing on Facebook that some people are hoping to stage a peaceful protest in Halifax to try and demand the case be re-opened....there are just no words :cry:

This makes me think of what would happen if one of the Fundie girls had this happen to them, Jim Boob has put his daughters in the public eye, advertised the fact that they're virgins, and expects God to keep them safe because he thinks his family is so much better than anyone else. I would assume God expects you to use the brain He gave you and not advertise your daughters sexual status for anyone who is listening. :doh:

[Salamander]

The rapists need to be prosecuted. The failure to follow up on this case is just showing them and anyone watching how easy it is to get away with rape, even when there's photographic proof. There is no reason they won't do this again to another victim.

My condolences to her family.

[treehugger]

This makes me think of what would happen if one of the Fundie girls had this happen to them, Jim Boob has put his daughters in the public eye, advertised the fact that they're virgins, and expects God to keep them safe because he thinks his family is so much better than anyone else. I would assume God expects you to use the brain He gave you and not advertise your daughters sexual status for anyone who is listening. :doh:

I get what your saying, and I am sure you didn't mean for the last paragraph to come across this way - but someone's sexual status (i.e.. virgin or not) should have nothing to do with rape. Rape is unacceptable - advertised virginity or not.

This story just pisses me off big time. I feel so horrible for that poor girl and for her family. And I am shaking with anger that it is 2013 and rape is still not considered the heinous crime it is.

[bekkah]

There are reasons rapes go unreported and I think this is one of them. Slut shaming.

As I have experience, I did not report because I was going to a very small college and laws in the USA make it mandatory to let the college population know that a crime took place. I was feeling unsafe enough to speak up because of that. They would have figured who I was out and I feel that it would have been that all hell broke loose. It already did in my world combined with the factor that I only had one semester left, I just went through it.

I emphasize with this situation. How that day she lost something so important, rape takes a lot from you and I think the one thing that dramatically changes is the trust in the world. I have a hard time making friends now.

Rhetaeh may you have found peace and comfort. Your life did mean something and you are going to change this fucking rapist culture.

[tropaka]

another similar case - although the boys have been charged now - too little too late

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/ ... arged.html

SAN JOSE, CALIF.—Eight days after allegedly being sexually battered while passed out at a party, and then humiliated by online photos of the assault, 15-year-old Audrie Pott posted on Facebook that her life was ruined, “worst day ever,†and hanged herself.

For the next eight months, her family struggled to figure out what happened to their soccer loving, artistic, horse crazy daughter, with a gentle smile, long dark hair and shining eyes.

And then on Thursday, seven months after the tragedy, a Northern California sheriff’s office arrested three 16-year-old boys on charges of sexual battery.

“The family has been trying to understand why their loving daughter would have taken her life at such a young age and to make sure that those responsible would be held accountable,†said family attorney Robert Allard.

“After an extensive investigation that we have conducted on behalf of the family, there is no doubt in our minds that the victim, then only 15 years old, was savagely assaulted by her fellow high school students while she lay on a bed completely unconscious.â€

Allard said students used cellphones to share photos of the attack, and that the images went viral.

Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Lt. Jose Cardoza said it arrested two of the teens at Saratoga High School and the third, a former Saratoga High student, at Christopher High School in Gilroy on Thursday. The names of the suspects were not released because they are minors.

Cardoza said the suspects were booked into juvenile hall and face two felonies and one misdemeanour each, all related to sexual battery that allegedly occurred at a Saratoga house party.

The lieutenant said the arrests were the result of information gathered by his agency’s Saratoga High School resource officers. He said the investigation is ongoing, and Los Gatos police also continue looking into the girl’s September suicide.

The Associated Press does not, as a rule, identify victims of sexual assault. But in this case, Pott’s family wanted her name and case known, Allard said. The family also provided a photo to the AP.

The girl’s family members did not comment and have requested privacy until a planned news conference Tuesday. Her father and step-mother Lawrence and Lisa Pott, along with her mother Sheila Pott, have started the Audrie Pott Foundation (audriepottfoundation.com) to provide music and art scholarships and offer youth counselling and support.

The foundation website alludes to the teen’s struggles, but until now neither law enforcement, school officials nor family have discussed the sexual battery.

“She was compassionate about life, her friends, her family, and would never do anything to harm anyone,†the site says. “She was in the process of developing the ability to cope with the cruelty of this world but had not quite figured it all out.

“Ultimately, she had not yet acquired the antibiotics to deal with the challenges present for teens in today’s society.â€

On the day Pott died, Saratoga High School principal Paul Robinson announced her death, stunning classmates. Two days later other students and staff wore her favouritecolour, teal, in her honour.

Robinson wasn’t immediately available for comment Thursday.

The Pott family is not alone.

In Canada on Thursday, authorities said they are looking further into the case of a teenage girl who hanged herself Sunday after an alleged rape and months of bullying. A photo said to be of the 2011 assault on 17-year-old Rehtaeh Parsons was shared online.

No charges initially were filed against four teenage boys being investigated. But after an outcry, Nova Scotia’s justice minister appointed four government departments to look into Parsons’ case.