The suicide of Phoebe Prince, on January 14, 2010, led to the criminal prosecution of six teenagers,[1] as well as to the enactment of stricter anti-bullying legislation by the Massachusetts state legislature.[2]
Prince had moved from Ireland to South Hadley, in the U.S. state of Massachusetts.[3] Her suicide, after months of bullying from school classmates, brought international attention to the problem of bullying in US schools. In March 2010, a state anti-bullying task force was set up as a result of her death. The Massachusetts legislation was signed into law on May 3, 2010.[2]
Bullying incidents and suicide
editHaving recently moved to the U.S. from Ireland, Prince was taunted and bullied for several months by students at South Hadley High School. Her aunt allegedly warned school officials in August 2009, prior to Prince's enrollment at the school, to watch after Prince, as she was susceptible to bullying. Attempts to speak out the bullying of Phoebe resulted in further against bullying of those involved
On January 14, 2010, after a day of harassment and taunting, followed by a final incident in which a student threw a can at her from a passing car as she walked home from school, Prince committed suicide by hanging herself in the stairwell leading to the second floor of the family apartment. Her parents chose to have Prince buried in Ireland.
Several teenagers from South Hadley High School were charged with offences and placed on probation or given community service.
Initial reactions
editA meeting held at the school to discuss the problem of bullying within the school brought parents who stated that bullying of their children had been completely ignored by the school administration. Massachusetts state lawmakers sped up efforts to pass anti-bullying legislation as a result of this incident,[4][5][6][7] and the measure was signed into law on May 3, 2010.[2] Inspired by the Massachusetts bill, similar legislation was introduced in New York State.[8] In July 2010, the South Hadley school committee adopted a more comprehensive anti-bullying policy.[9]
The six accused were subjected to bullying and death threats following Prince's death, and her father expressed concern regarding the treatment of the accused who had yet to face trial.Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page).[10]}}
Scheibel indicated that the investigation was ongoing and that further charges against South Hadley students were likely. She urged schools to adopt anti-bullying awareness and training programs for staff and students and expressed the wishes of the Prince family to refrain from vigilantism and to seek justice only through the criminal justice system.[11] "Now is not the time for retributions or reprisals," Scheibel said.[12]
School's reaction
editTwo days after the District Attorney's news conference, school superintendent Gus Sayer again denied that school administrators had ignored the bullying of Phoebe Prince.[13][14] South Hadley school officials released a statement that "we have taken disciplinary action with an additional small group of students and they have been removed from the high school."[15]
Settlememnt with the town of South Hadley
editPhoebe Prince's mother, Anne O'Brien, settled with the town of South Hadley in October 2010. She agreed not to sue or reveal details of the settlement for $225,000. Her brother stated that she agreed to settle in order to find some peace and put the tragedy behind her.[16]
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editAftermath
editIt is estimated that there are 267 cases of suicides caused or contributed to by bullying in the US. This incident has become one of the most widely publicised cases, attracting the attention of Senators, Congressmen and even the President.
State anti-bullying task force
editThe state of Massachusetts has set up a a state anti-bullying task force, lead by Jane Doe and due to report back with recommendation by July 2014. A spokesman for the force declined to comment on the incident.
New York State legislation
editNew York State has passed 5 new laws which they claim will reduce bullying in schools.
School's anti bullying policies
editThe school said that it had taken advice from the US Bullying Council changed its anti-bullying policy to in accordance with their recommendations. They said that they were confident that an incident like this could not occur again.
Reactions to prosecutions
editThe US Bullying Council sad that they considered that the prosecution of students at the school was unhelpful and described the sentences as draconian. They went on to say that the prosecutions would do nothing to prevent further suicides and were, on fact, more likely to increase bullying incidents on schools.
The Association of Mothers of Bullied Children said that the prosecutions were justified and welcome and that the sentences were too lenient and would do nothing to prevent further incidents like this.
Presidential involvement
editAfter a 3 month campaign, Joe Soap managed to bring this suicide to the attention of the President. President Obama said that he understood the complex social lives lived by modern teenagers and agreed that everything possible should be don to protect them from harm.
Changes to US laws
editAs a direct result of this incident laws were passed in 27 US stated creating specific offences of bullying. Legislation in a further 14 states was also affected.
References
edit- ^ 2010: The year that was By Herald Staff Sunday, December 26, 2010 Boston Herald
- ^ a b c Bierman, Noah (May 4, 2010). "Grieving family by his side, governor signs legislation". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- ^ "Grand jury indicts 9 students in connection with Phoebe Prince bullying case" Gazettenet.com
- ^ Cullen, Kevin (January 24, 2010). "The untouchable Mean Girls". The Boston Globe. Boston.com. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ McCabe, Kathy (January 24, 2010). "Teen's suicide prompts a look at bullying". The Boston Globe. Boston.com. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ Constantine, Sandra (January 27, 2010). "In wake of Phoebe Prince's apparent suicide, hundreds pack South Hadley meeting to discuss bullying in schools". The Republican. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ Vaznis, James (January 26, 2010). "Beacon Hill lawmakers see urgent need for antibullying bill". The Boston Globe. Boston.com. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ Dunphy, Mark (May 11, 2010). "Phoebe Prince Death Inspires Anti-Bullying Bill In New York". The Clare Herald. Retrieved May 11, 2010. [dead link]
- ^ "South Hadley, Mass. OK's school bullying policy". New England Cable News Network. July 1, 2010. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
- ^ Crimaldi, Laura (March 29, 2010). "DA: School knew of brutal bullying of Phoebe Prince -". Boston Herald. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
boston1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Greg Saulmon, South Hadley Police Chief David J. LaBrie watching threats against Phoebe Prince's alleged bullies; developer of Web sites targeting female defendants declines to name client http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/04/sites_targeting_phoebe_princes.html
- ^ Sandra Constantine, South Hadley superintendent Gus Sayer says DA's findings in Phoebe Prince case consistent with school's investigation http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/03/south_hadley_superintendent_gu.html
- ^ South Hadley school officials speak out http://www.necn.com/pages/landing?blockID=208632
- ^ Marie Szaniszlo and Jessica Van Sack, At least two tied to Phoebe Prince’s death expelled http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1243562
- ^ South Hadley paid Phoebe Prince family $225,000 to avoid lawsuit over bullying
External links
edit
- Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2010 - Massachusetts anti-bullying law.
- Phoebe Prince at Find a Grave
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Category:High school students who committed suicide
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Category:School bullying
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Category:British emigrants to the United States
Category:Bullycide