"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. "
This statement by Martin Luther King Jr is one of the last messages Rehtaeh Parsons wrote on Facebook wall before taking her own life. Rehtaeh Parsons committed suicide after enduring 17 months of harassment and bullying .
Rehtaeh Parsons was gang-raped by 4 boys from her high school in Cole Harbour.
Her rapists distributed images of her rape to her classmates.
No charges were ever filed as there was deemed insufficient evidence of a crime.
No one has been held criminally liable for distributing the images of Rehtaeh's rape.
I have to wonder if any of the teenagers who harassed and bullied Rehtaeh were ever held responsible for their behaviour.
This is rape culture.
It is also a reminder of the importance of sisterhood. Rehtaeh needed more women around her supporting her against those labelling her a slut and a liar.
We need to make sure that women and children who experience sexual violence know that we will support them unconditionally.
And, it isn't enough to say we will. We have to prove it. For Rehtaeh.
There is a petition here demanding an inquiry into the police investigation.
There is a petition here demanding an inquiry into the police investigation.
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