Posters Around HRM Supporting The Boys that Raped Rehtaeh Parsons

At 7:40am this morning, Rehtaeh Parson’s family found posters around their neighbourhood supporting the boys who allegedly raped her, claiming that there are two sides to every story. These signs were strategically placed around Cole Harbour, downtown Halifax and most upsettingly, up and down the Parson’s street. Her family has suffered enough and will continue to grieve this terrible loss as long as they live. Who would do this to them?! Her little sisters saw these signs!

Yes, there are most certainly two sides to every story, but in this particular case, the boys photographed the act and then circulated the photos on the internet and then bragged to their schoolmates. So despite the fact that there may be multiple versions of the events of that night in 2011, there is absolutely no question that four boys did something terrible to a 15 year old girl and robbed her of her youth and ultimately her life. It wasn’t only the rape that plagued Rehtaeh, but the taunting she endured right up until she took her own life last week.

This case, and that of Audrie Pott (a sadly similar case in California), make me seriously question the minds of teenage boys. Do they have no conscious or remorse for their actions? Have they not been taught right from wrong? That no means no? Do they even care that their actions resulted in the death of innocents?

 I feel outraged about every aspect of these cases! From the moment of the rape, to the spreading of the photos, the taunting, the hopeless teens who took their own lives and then the poorly handled investigations...it’s all devastating. The “system” is so flawed.

As a parent of future teenagers, I will do everything in my power to make sure my kids are raised to know better and to respect the life they have been given. We are only in this world for so long. Lets not waste our time here and let us start to make some positive changes. I am tired of all the misery!

I am hoping and praying that our justice system does not fail Rehtaeh and her family and that the boys responsible for this are dealt with. Those boys cannot be left to think that have gotten away with this. It’s as if they’ve gotten away with murder. My heart aches for the Parson’s as they grieve the loss of their 17 year old daughter and have to additionally deal with the horrible people responsible for posting the signs this morning. Thinking of you Parson’s family. I wish things were very, very different.