Supports of Rehtaeh Parsons gathered in Dartmouth on Saturday to honour the memory of the teenager whose private struggles became public three years ago.
The third-annual Rae’s Awareness Memorial Walk saw over 200 people gather to raise awareness for victims of sexualized violence.
“I think she'd be happy,” said Rehteah’s childhood friend Bryony Jollimore. “I think she would love to see everything that's came out of this.”
It's been three years since the 17-year-old girl was taken off life support after attempting to take her own life. Her family says she was sexually assaulted at a party and photos were shared online.
Now, friends and family carry on the legacy of a girl they remember as being so strong.
“It's about looking out for each other, not leaving anyone behind in vulnerable positions, and just creating safer communities,” said Rehtaeh’s mother, Leah Parsons.
Public outrage over Rehtaeh's death inspired the province to pioneer a cyberbullying law, considered to be the first of its kind in the country. That law passed unanimously in May 2013, but was struck down four months ago after a Halifax judge deemed it to be in violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The provincial government may appeal the court decision, or it may choose to amend or rewrite the law.
“There has been no decision made yet about what options we're going to take,” said Nova Scotia Justice Minister Diana Whalen. “I can certainly say we're well aware of the need for something to take the place of that act because it really has left a void.”
Minister Whalen says lawmakers will take their time and consider all the options.
“This legislation has to be crafted very carefully because we know the last act was written in haste,” she said. “It was adopted by the entire legislature, everybody supported it, but it was written and passed in about three weeks.”
Rehtaeh's mother says a cyberbullying law is necessary to prevent the kind of thing that happened to her daughter from happening again.
“The truth of the matter is children are being targeted, people are being targeted, and once you become a target, that's it. You can't escape that,” said Parsons.
Rehtaeh's friends and family say they will continue to speak out and move forward.
“It's been a long journey, but we've got pretty far, so I think she'd be really proud to see it,” said Jollimore.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Caitlin Andrea.