Analysis Of The Article 'Is Failing To Protect Teenage Girls'

Works Cited

Borsuk, Ian. “The RCMP Is Failing to Protect Teenage Girls.” Vice. VICE Media LLC. 10 April 2013.

Web. 16 Nov. 2015.

In this article, the issues surrounding the mishandling of rape cases by police officers and other officials are discussed. The source examines the investigation in the Rehtaeh Parsons case, or lack thereof, as the charges were easily dismissed and the boys accused never questioned. It relates Rehtaeh’s case back to that of Amanda Todd, who also committed suicide after explicit photographs of her were published online. The article shows the juxtaposition between the two cases, noting that even though they took place on opposite ends of the country, they are both eerily similar in a number of characteristics,
It notes that since cyberbullying is not done face-to-face, it is often easier for bullies as they feel a sense of anonymity, which makes them more confident with their attacks and harmful messages. The article also examines some statistics regarding the psychological effect cyberbullying has on its victims, citing higher rates of school drop-outs, severe anxiety, and a much higher suicide rate overall. The various legislations regarding cyberbullying passed by provincial governments in Canada are also discussed, as well as if the severity of said legislative responses was necessary and justified. Additionally, the debate over whether or not schools have the right to control student behavior off of school property is touched upon in this article. This source is relevant to my independent study because it demonstrates how cyberbullying can very easily become a powerful weapon that can lead to terrible consequences, as it did in the Rehtaeh Parsons case. It effectively analyzes how lack of understanding about how to deal with cyberbullying can result in the mishandling of cases, and what that means for the victims of situations involving unacceptable online conduct. This is a key factor in the Rehtaeh Parsons case, as the police did not know how to pursue this case thanks to the fact that most of the interactions, pictures, and
It talks about society’s tendency to dismiss women’s claims of rape, and the moral grey area regarding rape cases when alcohol is involved. The article discusses if the police have the right to act as both jury and judge when it comes to determining if they should pursue cases, especially when it comes to situations when a person may have been unconscious or inebriated. As well, the rising amount of sexual assault cases dismissed by courts (60% of all cases in Nova Scotia) is also investigated. This includes looking at the direct correlation between a high provincial sexual assault rate and the number of sexual assault cases dismissed in that province overall. This source is relevant to my independent case study overall as it directly references the Rehtaeh Parsons case by showing the difficulty of charging individuals with rape thanks to societal views. It shows how the police are more likely to question the women making rape claims than the actual perpetrator, which demonstrates underlying tones of gender biased social attitudes. This ties back to the principle of rape culture, and the flawed perceptions on what counts as non consensual sexual activity, or rape. The ideals and views of society on non consensual sex is a key factor in my independent study topic, as many of the factors contributing to the Rehtaeh Parsons case are based on these flawed societal notions. This article, and the brutally honest