Sarah's Story

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Internet 101

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Sarah’s Story

Presented by Internet 101

Police and partners . . . working together to web-proof our communities.

WARNING

This presentation contains mature subject matter and is not suitable for young children. Viewer discretion is advised.

Based on a true story.

The people in this video are actors using fictional names.

None

Photo of the character Sarah with head in hands.

Music begins (plays throughout presentation).

Camera shot of 3D image of diary. Fades to photo of Sarah, head in hands. Close up of Sarah’s face.

Teenage girl’s voice (Sarah, who speaks throughout presentation): I’m going to tell you my story, only once. The story that I’ve never talked about, and that should never have happened to me. Then I’m going to try to forget it.

Camera shot of 3D image of diary. Animation of diary opening, full of writing inside.

I’m 13 years old. I get good grades at school. The school year is almost over. I will miss school, and especially my friends.

Photo of Sarah in school clothes with backpack, close up of Sarah’s face. Photo of Sarah in school clothes, fades to animation of diary opening. Close up of Sarah’s eye.

I’m a shy girl, and people often say that I’m really reserved. I feel more comfortable dressing like the musicians of my favourite bands.

Close up of writing in diary.

When I dress gothic, it hides my shyness, and I feel respected.

Close up of writing in diary (matches narration). Fades to close up of Sarah’s eye, then the face of another teenage girl (bully).

There’s a girl in my school who seems to be jealous of me. She bullies me, and says that I dress like her.

Close up of Sarah’s eye. Animation of diary pages turning.

Her friends call me every name in the book, in front of everyone. They just won’t leave me alone, even on the chat.

Photos of Sarah head and shoulders, then close up of eye. Photo of Sarah’s head with red bar across it appears inside close up photo of eye.

I try to ignore them the best I can. Until the day that I notice my picture in their lockers. I have a round circle around my head, and a red bar across my face.

Animation of diary pages turning and photos of Sarah falling to the ground.

After a long time of humiliation it gets worse. I can’t take it anymore. Plus, at school, the girls trip me and I fall to the ground.

Close up of Sarah’s eye.

I cry so much it hurts. Why? Just because I have the same pants as one of them? This just can’t go on. I just don’t know what to do anymore.

Photos of Sarah’s face, sad. Fades to photos of Sarah with face in hands.

When I get home, my mom notices how down I am. I tell her everything. She advises the school. They get called to the office, get a small punishment. Finally, end of the school year has arrived.

Close up of writing in diary.

It’s a good thing I talked about it. It’s over.

Photo of Sarah in dance class costume.

The hot weather has arrived. My summer dance classes have begun like every year since I was a little girl.

Photo of Sarah’s eye. Fades to close up of drawings in Sarah’s diary.

My parents don’t understand why I don’t want to dance anymore. They know how much I love to dance.

Photos of Sarah in dance class costume. Fades to close up of drawings and writing in Sarah’s diary, and then close up of Sarah’s eye.

They’re in my dance classes, and they continue to bully me. When I walk around the neighbourhood, they even throw bottles at me. My summer is long and painful.

Close up of writing in Sarah’s diary. Fades to close up of Sarah’s face.

I’m scared, the new school year is starting. For my birthday, I receive some money.

Photo of Sarah in new school clothes. Text appears superimposed on photo.

at least, that’s what we thought

My parents offer to go shopping out of town to get some of my new clothing to avoid problems. Hopefully, they’ll leave me alone.

Photos of Sarah in new clothes, falling to the ground.

Close up photos of Sarah’s face. Text superimposed on photos.

at least, that’s what we thought

The next day, two of them constantly push me on the walls. My parents can’t take it anymore. They contact the school, and the police. Charges are laid; it’s over.

Photos of Sarah typing on keyboard, smiling.

Things are going better. I’m surfing the Net, chatting with friends, just having fun. One of my friends sends me a link to a site.

3D image of Sarah’s keyboard and computer screen. Image of bully’s blog on screen. Close up of blog entries.

I go check it out. The blog contains pictures of gothics. I look at it, read it. The site seems familiar.

Close up of blog entry containing photo of Sarah’s face with red bar across it. Fades to close up of Sarah’s eye, and photo of Sarah’s face with red bar across it appears inside eye. Fades to photo of Sarah with red bar across it, then back to photo inside eye, then photo inside eye fades out.

(Gasp) Aw, man.

Close up of words in blog entry written about Sarah.

that girl i would kill her if i could she’s a copycat of s.. i hate her she doesn’t desrv to live nobody like ya stupid Sarah

Reply to my blog here

3D image of other blog entries. Text from entries appears superimposed on 3D image of blog entries and close ups of Sarah’s eye.

“she deserve to die of a painful deadth”

- Jane -

“shel die dt worry !!!”

- Jane -

“personaly i dunno her but  im serious wen i say that she desrv only THAT. get her good !!”

- Sampic -

“i would not want to be her !! lol !!! but if she is that dumb, GET HER GOOD !!!”

- Anna -

“Lets stone her ! : at the end of da school year, we will catch her”

- echallote -

Close up of Sarah’s eye, text superimposed over image.

victim

I’m scared - I feel so alone

I don’t know what to do

I am so sad

I need help

Talk about it

Photos of Sarah and bully.

Bully

violence - harassment

jealousy - mental cruelty

intimidation - death threats

Bully

hiding behind my “blog”

I don’t know what I’m doing

Bully

=

computer seized by police

suspension from school

criminal record

Bully

Think before you act

Close ups of Sarah’s face, fades to photo of Sarah with head in hands.

I’ve just told you my story, only once. The story that I’ve never talked about, and that should never have happened to me.

Animation of computer of diary, camera zooms in on diary.

Now that I’ve talked about it, I’m going to try to forget it and try to live my life normally. At least, that’s what I think.

Music fades out.

Camera zooms in on computer screen with photo of close up of Sarah’s eye on it. Text superimposed over image.

Fortunately, Sarah talked to her parents about what was going on.

Police were advised. They made a copy of the site and got a search warrant. The girl’s computer was seized and she was suspended from school. Criminal charges were laid against her.

Despite all of this, the damage was done. Sarah has trouble sleeping. She needs a nightlight and if she’s lucky, she’ll manage to get two or three hours of sleep each night. She won’t go anywhere alone. She quit her dance class. She has trouble trusting people. She has lost her self-esteem.

“Sometimes, I feel like ending my life” -Sarah

Photo of Sarah with head in hands, text superimposed overtop.

Do like me…

… talk about it

Close up of Sarah’s eye, text superimposed overtop.

Text and Original Concept

Lafbros

With assistance from

Yvon Brault

Dana Townsend

Daniel Mulligan

The Internet 101 team would like to thank the real “Sarah”, who had the courage to come forward and tell her story.

Heartfelt thanks go to Claire, Pamela, Alex Ann and Sylvie for believing this story needed to be told and volunteering their time to assist in the production of this presentation.

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