Cyber bullying has caused yet another suicide.
The rampant nature of rape culture, the immediacy of today’s technology and the heartless taste for gossip in this generation have resulted in a long list of young people taking their own lives. Among those who felt the wrath of physical and emotional torment is 15-year-old Audrie Pott.
Audrie Pott committed suicide after being sexually assaulted at a house party in 2012. The teen was reportedly intoxicated, passed out, and woke up naked with drawings on her body and private areas. Photos were taken and went viral.
The Northern California teen’s parents created a site in her honor that offers musical and art scholarships, counseling and support.
The site says, “She was a compassionate about life, her friends, her family, and would never do anything to harm anyone. She was in the process of developing the ability to cope with the cruelty of the world but had not quite figured it all out.”
Audrie was an intelligent girl of many talents. She loved soccer and her ability to score landed her a position as a forward on her community soccer team. Her vocal experience as a singer in her church choir later on led to her performing at Barack Obama’s inauguration with her middle school.
Audrie found inspiration within the arts. She planned to major in art studies while in college. From creative writing to skiing and even hiking, Audrie proved to be a girl with a promising and eventful future.
Family and friends will forever remember her amazing smile and remarkable heart. With the Audrie Pott Foundation, they hope to keep her legacy alive and help others along the way.
According to the site, “It would have been her wish that we could all learn from her unfortunate and tragic passing that somehow through the lessons learned that this could provide an impetus for change, an avenue for hope, and a foundation for support and guidance.”
Three 16-year-old boys were arrested for Audrie’s assault and brought before the court on charges yesterday. Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Lt. Jose Cardoza said the arrests were a result of cooperation from the Saratoga High School officers.
Samir Ingle, a student at Audrie’s Saratoga High School, said, “That it took that long was pretty ridiculous. It was maybe half a year … September. I find that really, really disturbing.”
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The boys will be formally charged next week. Pott’s parents are scheduled to hold a press conference next Tuesday in hopes of spreading awareness on the issues surrounding their daughter’s death.
Our condolences to the family and friends of Audrie Pott.
