Rehtaeh Parsons, a
17-year-old high school student from Halifax, Nova Scotia, was taken off
life support on Sunday, three days after she tried to hang herself. Her
family told CNN they met with Canadian justice officials on Wednesday
and the officials assured them they would take a fresh look at filing
charges.
The teen was bullied for
more than a year after the alleged sexual assault, which happened in
November 2011 when she was 15, her family said.
Authorities confirmed
that a photograph allegedly showing Parsons having sex with one of the
boys was circulated to friends' mobile phones and computers. As a
result, her family said she developed suicidal thoughts.
Teen hangs herself after alleged rape
Mom: Teen killed herself after rape
She also struggled
emotionally after the police investigation ended without criminal
charges, her mother, Leah Parsons, wrote on her Facebook tribute 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," her mother wrote. "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."
Disseminating such a
picture -- even if the sexual encounter was consensual -- is considered
child pornography under Canadian law. However, a joint investigation by
Royal Canadian Mounted Police and local authorities found "insufficient
evidence to proceed with charges," according RCMP spokesman Cpl. Scott
MacRae.
"There are factors in
determining other than the picture itself; ages, who sent the material,
computers, so it's complex," MacRae said. "We do understand people want
the answers and the big question here is why was it done or why weren't
there charges and we understand that. We're not trying to deflect blame
or not be accountable."
The Parsons family said they hope their story helps families going through the same pain.
Her funeral will be Saturday, her mother said.
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