NEWS RELEASE
GUELPH POLICE SERVICE
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On the afternoon of May 28, 2020, Detective Constable Stewart Robertson and High School Resource Officer Constable James Nightingale of the Guelph Police Service Youth and Crime Prevention Unit delivered another live interactive online presentation to Guelph youth.
The presentation focused on healthy relationships, warning signs of unhealthy relationships and cyber bullying. Guest speakers included Liz Kent from Victim Services Wellington and Leah Parsons who joined the conversation virtually from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia.
Leah Parsons is a native of the Halifax area. Her current life’s work is delivering messaging to youth surrounding sexualized violence, healthy relationships, cyber bullying and living life beyond trauma. She has a big heart and is actively involved in youth education around this subject matter. One of her predominant messages is to “be kind” and “be the change you want to see in the world”. She has a not for profit organization called “Rae’s Awareness” and is a yoga instructor who focuses on people suffering from trauma, loss and grief.
In 2013, her daughter Rehteah (Heather spelled backwards after a favourite relative) died by suicide after being sexually assaulted by a number of young men while she was intoxicated and passed out. The act was photographed and the images circulated out of control. This cyber bullying, stigma and shaming ultimately lead to her death.
Detective Constable Robertson said “It was amazing to have Leah join us today” referring to her powerful and engaging presentation. He continued “this is the 4th or 5th time I have heard Leah present to young people and her messaging and impact is as powerful today as the first time I saw her speak.”
If young people are interested in joining this initiative, all they need to do is download the Microsoft Teams app and direct message either Detective Constable Robertson “@officer_stu” or Constable Nightingale “@officer_jamesn” on Instagram for a link to join the next presentation.
For their involvement, young people will receive volunteer hours and free ice cream from McDonald’s in Guelph.
Detective Constable Robertson and Constable Nightingale encourage any interested Guelph youth to join in on the conversation.
The response from the participants has been excellent and Guelph Police Service looks forward to continuing this valuable engagement with tomorrow’s leaders!
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