The 2012 death of Amanda Todd drew international outrage over the devastating effects of cyberbullying and online exploitation after the British Columbia teen took her own life following years of verbal abuse, bullying and blackmail at the hands of online tormentors.
Here is a timeline of the police investigation into Todd’s case, and subsequent efforts to combat cyberbullying:
Sept. 7, 2012: B.C. teen Amanda Todd, 15, posts a video to Youtube in which she describes the two years of torment she endured as the target of online sexual exploitation, stalking, bullying and harassment. Using flash cards to tell her story, Todd also describes her resulting descent into depression, self-harm and a suicide attempt. The video ends with a desperate plea for help.
Oct. 10, 2012: Todd is found dead of apparent suicide in her Port Coquitlam home.
Oct. 12, 2012: RCMP launch an investigation to examine the circumstances surrounding Todd’s suicide, including the possibility that bullying played a role in the teen’s death. Her Youtube video draws millions of views in the months following her death.
Oct. 15, 2012: MPs in the House of Commons debate a motion to create a national bullying prevention strategy. Todd’s story is mentioned in the debate.
Oct. 19, 2012: Candlelight vigils are held in 40 cities around the world to honour Todd and to draw awareness to the issue of bullying.
Nov. 1, 2012: Canada’s justice and public safety ministers form a working group to address cyberbullying.
April 2013: In the wake of Nova Scotia teen Rehtaeh Parsons’ death, Amanda’s mother, Carol Todd, says she is stunned by how “shockingly similar” Parsons’ story of bullying and suicide is to that of her daughter’s.
April 2013: Saskatchewan passes motion urging Criminal Code changes to stop cyberbullies.
June 2012: British Columbia Premier Christy Clark announces a $2-million, 10-point strategy to address bullying in schools.
May 10, 2013: Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets with relatives of four teenage girls who died after being cyberbullied or lured online to discuss possible ways to crack down on internet tormentors. Carol Todd, who attended the roundtable, says afterward that she was “pleased with the meeting because (Harper) took the time to listen to us.”
Aug. 8, 2013: Nova Scotia passes new cyberbullying legislation, in which residents of the province can sue or seek a protection order from the courts if they or their children are being cyberbullied. Carol Todd says she is happy to see the province take steps to fight cyberbullying.
Nov. 20, 2013: The federal government tables a new cyberbullying bill that will prevent the non-consensual distribution of intimate images and will make the act a crime punishable by up to five years in jail.
April 17, 2014: RCMP confirm that a Dutch man is facing extortion and child pornography charges in connection with Todd’s online bullying case. At a news conference, Carol Todd says it is a day “that we’ve been waiting for.”
