P.E.I. Cyberbullying Awareness Day just the beginning for father of teen
The first-ever Cyberbullying Awareness Day on Prince Edward Island may have passed but for the father of the boy the day was created to remember, the job isn’t close to done.
Carl Burke spoke with nursing students about suicide at the University of P.E.I. Friday morning.
His son, 17-year-old Harry Burke, died after falling victim to a sextortion scam.
“Harry came to me and said, ‘Dad, I screwed up,’ and I said, ‘Well, what did you do?’ and he had said, ‘I shared pictures with a girl.’”
But it wasn’t a girl. The scammer demanded money, threating to expose Harry to his friends, family, bosses, and coworkers if the teen didn’t pay them off.
Harry Burke is pictured. (Source: Carl Burke)“This individual actually contacted my wife and said, ‘I am going to ruin his life, and ruin his career,’” said Burke. “I think that really, really hit it home for Harry, because he didn’t feel like he was safe anywhere.”
Less than 24 hours later, the boy had died. That was a year ago.
Burke said it’s a hurt that will never go away.
“He is the last thing I think about when I go to bed and night, and the first thing I think about when my feet hit the floor in the morning,” said Burke.
Burke said his son was a bright young man, driven to make the world a better place. He was a new Canadian reservist only one weekend away from finishing basic training.
Harry Burke is pictured. (Source: Carl Burke)On Thursday P.E.I. marked its first Cyberbullying Awareness Day in memory of Harry.
“It is so special, so important, and it will help people to stand up and take notice. ‘I need to know what my kids are doing on that phone,’” said Burke.
He’s raising awareness of how vulnerable children and teens are online and how they’re being targeted.
Burke said he’s going to keep telling his son’s story, over and over again, in the hopes no family has to face the same heartbreak as his.
For more Prince Edward Island news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
BREAKING Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Australia's richest woman seeks removal of her portrait from exhibition
Art is subjective. And while many artists long to share their work with the world, there's no guarantee that the audience will understand it, or even like it.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Person charged in random assault on actor Steve Buscemi in New York
A person wanted in connection with the random assault on actor Steve Buscemi on a New York City street earlier this month was taken into custody Friday, police said.