As we ponder the happenings that occurred in town during the last week regarding the “attempted abduction” of a 15-year-old girl at the Rotary Spirit Centre, there are a number of thoughts that spring to mind.
We’ve all read the front page story by now that her story was fabricated and we are now sorting through our emotions — anger, sympathy, confusion and happiness that the incident did not occur as it was reported and our town does not have to deal with that kind of fallout.
No charges will be laid, but there is fallout though, and most of it is on social media. Social media actually plays a large role in this story, as the incident was reported on Facebook by the girl’s mother soon after it happened, presumably in an effort to make others in town aware of the “suspects.”
The responses flooded in, and people shared it far and wide. People were so kind and concerned and community-minded. Some were even planning on self-defence classes to help ward off such attempts.
Likewise, the responses poured in when it was found to be a hoax, but with a lot less empathy. Let’s just say there are a lot of keyboard tough guys and self-proclaimed legal experts on Facebook who would never say the things they say on Facebook, in person.
Just ask yourself what you would have done as a parent if your child told you they were nearly taken?
The social media vitriol directed at the girl and her mother has to stop. Calling for her to publicly apologize, or to pay back the RCMP for the waste of resources is just ridiculous. If the police have deemed that no charges are to be laid, then that is that.
Let the family work it out however they may. It was our business as a community, until it became a family-only affair.
Do you remember what was going on in your head when you were 15?
Move on and be willing to forgive. The public humiliation is more than enough of a consequence, especially considering the role social media is playing in castigating the family.
If anything, this incident should make us more aware that just because it didn’t happen here, doesn’t mean it can’t happen here. Be vigilant and educate your children, but be kind and be glad we’re still relatively untouched by such crimes in our area.
