My Daughter Rehtaeh Parsons
by Glen Canning
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Description
One of Indigo's Best Books of 2021 So Far Rehtaeh Parsons was a gifted teenager with boundless curiosity and a love for family, science, and the natural world. But her life was derailed when she went to a friend's house for a sleepover and the two of them dropped by at a neighbour's house, where a group of boys were having a party. The next day, one of the boys circulated a photo on social media: it showed Rehtaeh half naked, with a boy up against her. She had no recollection of what had show more happened. For 17 months, Rehtaeh was shamed from one school to the next. Bullied by her peers, she was scorned by their parents and her community. No charges were laid by the RCMP. In comfortable, suburban Nova Scotia, Rehtaeh spiralled into depression. Failed by her school, the police, and the mental health system, Rehtaeh attempted suicide on April 4, 2013. She died three days later. But her story didn't die with her. Rehtaeh's death shone a searing light on attitudes toward issues of consent and sexual assault. It also led to legislation on cyberbullying, a review of mental health services for teens, and an overhaul of how Canadian schools deal with cyber exploitation. My Daughter Rehtaeh Parsonsoffers an unsparing look at Rehtaeh's story, the social forces that enable and perpetuate violence and misogyny among teenagers, and parental love in the midst of horrendous loss. show lessTags
Member Reviews
This is a tragic story about a young girl who was sexually assaulted and then harassed on line by her classmates. Her father has written this book with honesty and emotion, and with a clear sense of trying to make people understand the consequences of toxic masculinity and of not standing up against injustice.
I was shocked by the depth and breadth of the negative comments posted on line to and/or about Rehtaeh, continuing after her tragic death. I wonder if those who assaulted her, and who bullied her, will ever feel the full weight of their actions. I was frustrated by how many people supported Rehtaeh and her family after her death: where were they before?
This is an important book to read. It's not an easy read, but it teaches us so show more much about the consequences of cyber harassment. show less
I was shocked by the depth and breadth of the negative comments posted on line to and/or about Rehtaeh, continuing after her tragic death. I wonder if those who assaulted her, and who bullied her, will ever feel the full weight of their actions. I was frustrated by how many people supported Rehtaeh and her family after her death: where were they before?
This is an important book to read. It's not an easy read, but it teaches us so show more much about the consequences of cyber harassment. show less
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Common Knowledge
- People/Characters
- Rehtaeh Parsons; Glen Canning; Leah Parsons
- Epigraph
- Rage against that darkness and know that you are not alone.
- Dedication
- This book is dedicated with love to the memory of Rehtaeh Anne Parsons and to every person struggling alone in a dark place.
- First words
- When a child dies, a parent breaks.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Krista and Glen live in Toronto with their amazing pug, Alice.
- Blurbers
- Lalonde, Julie S.; Khan, Farrah; Sexton, Jared Yates
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir, General Nonfiction, Teen
- DDC/MDS
- 302.34 — Society, Government, and Culture Social sciences, sociology & anthropology Mass Communication & Media Social interaction within groups Social interaction in primary groups
- LCC
- HV6773.C92 C36 — Social sciences Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology Crimes and offenses
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 7
- Popularity
- 2,735,492
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (4.33)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 2
