17 year old Halifax, Nova Scotia high student Rehtaeh Parsons was taken off life support on Sunday, three days after she tried to hang herself. Rehtaeh was sexually assaulted in November of 2011 by four teenage boys. After the assault there was a photograph of the teenager circulated online and to the cell phones of her friends. Leah Parsons, Rehtaeh’s mother said that she was taunted, relentlessly bullied and repeatedly on the receiving end of sexually harassing phone calls. Because of that hate, Rehtaeh was emotionally distraught and often had thoughts of suicide.
As of this date, no criminal charges have been filed against her attackers. But the family met with Canadian justice officials on Wednesday urging them to reconsider.
Glenn Canning, Rehtaeh’s father posted on his blog on Wednesday, that he tried everything in his power to save his daughter’s life:
“I asked her repeatedly what I could do, was I doing enough, what did she want from me? She said she just wanted me to be her dad. To make her laugh. To do everything possible to keep a part of her life normal. She said it helped more than I could ever know.”
Her mother Leah wrote a tribute to her daughter on her Facebook page:
"Rehtaeh is gone today because of the four boys that thought that raping a 15-year-old girl was OK and to distribute a photo to ruin her spirit and reputation would be fun. All the bullying and messaging and harassment that never let up are also to blame. Lastly, the justice system failed her. Those are the people that took the life of my beautiful girl.”
Rest In Peace Rehtaeh. May god bless and keep your family.
As of this date, no criminal charges have been filed against her attackers. But the family met with Canadian justice officials on Wednesday urging them to reconsider.
Glenn Canning, Rehtaeh’s father posted on his blog on Wednesday, that he tried everything in his power to save his daughter’s life:
“I asked her repeatedly what I could do, was I doing enough, what did she want from me? She said she just wanted me to be her dad. To make her laugh. To do everything possible to keep a part of her life normal. She said it helped more than I could ever know.”
Her mother Leah wrote a tribute to her daughter on her Facebook page:
"Rehtaeh is gone today because of the four boys that thought that raping a 15-year-old girl was OK and to distribute a photo to ruin her spirit and reputation would be fun. All the bullying and messaging and harassment that never let up are also to blame. Lastly, the justice system failed her. Those are the people that took the life of my beautiful girl.”
Rest In Peace Rehtaeh. May god bless and keep your family.
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