Cyber Bullying: Nova Scotia implements legislation to honour young suicide victim







A new law introduced in Halifax aims at discouraging cyber-bullying. The law was inspired by the suicide of Rehtaeh Parsons, a seventeen year old who upon being severely bullied for months when a picture of her being sexually assaulted circulated her high school, tragically ended her own life in her home. 

 

The law called the ‘Cyber-Safety Act’ allows victims of cyber-bullying and harassment to seek financial restitution for harm caused, as well as receiving protection under the law by identifying who the perpetrator/s are.  The act also allows for the parents of the cyber-bullies to be held responsible if they are minors.

 

Nova Scotia’s Justice Minister Ross Landry hopes the introduction of this act will make potential abusers think twice about harassing fellow students.

 

"This sends a clear message, cyberbullying is a serious act with serious consequences,” Landry said in a statement to the Canadian Press.

 

Rehtaeh Parson’s father, Glen Canning sees the introduction of this bill as a positive first step in holding children accountable for their actions which he said in a statement to the Canadian Press is “long, long, long overdue.”

 

Canning also approves of the clause in the bill which holds parents responsible for their child’s actions, noting the importance of parents being aware of their child’s online activities. 

 

"Kids aren't getting contracts with cellphone companies or Internet service providers. These are in their parents' names and their parents should be responsible for how these are being used,” Cannings told the Canadian Press.

 

The issue of bullying and cyber-bullying is more significant than some may expect. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) blames bullying as the number three cause of death in youth, and notes 1 in 3 youths have experienced cyber-bullying.

 

The Nova Scotia government has taken an important first step in implementing legislation to protect children, however social problems cannot simply be legislated into compliance; education on bullying should be taught to children as early as Kindergarden to instill the kinds of values which would not only make them refrain from bullying, but to condemn acts of bullying when they see it. 


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