The Fun Time is going as serious and heart-breaking as it has ever gone before. This is not a happy story. If you’re looking for a chuckle — not today.
I am the father of two beautiful little girls. Yes, they are hilarious and they do the most ridiculous things. They are my daughters. I love them with everything I have. I’ve even dedicated a blog to them.
Which is why the Rehtaeh Parsons story is so incredibly difficult for me. She was taken off life-support last Sunday. And, died.
Rehtaeh was a 15-year-old girl who was gang-raped. One of the classmates involved in the attack took a picture of the assault and posted it online. (No, I haven’t seen it. No desire.)
That picture was posted and re-posted. Rehtaeh was branded a “slut” by the community in her Canadian town, and she was shunned and bullied. She was depressed, fearful, traumatized… broken. To make matters worse, the Justice system could not find “probable cause” to pursue her attackers.
Two years later, she hanged herself. Just last week.
Rehtaeh could be one of my daughters. Or, yours.
And it makes me so sad.
Why are people so cruel?
Rehteah Parsons
Rehteah, with Mom and Dad. He could be me.
If you care, here is a news report:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1122345-who-failed-rehtaeh-parsons
And her heart-wrenching fathers statement. (I still can’t get all the way through it. Too close to home.):
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/glen-canning/rehtaeh-parsons-was-my-daughter_b_3056888.html
This story broke my heart. I can’t believe that people could be so uncaring or I don’t want to believe it. I like that you posted this.
I just read about this story today and another one about a girl in California with a similar story. It makes me so sad to hear these things continue to keep happening. Thanks for bringing more attention to this. Maybe the more people know they can educate more about it.