Police, Iqaluit school officials investigate sexting complaints

Staff at Iqaluit’s Inuksuk High School have asked the RCMP to look into complaints about sexting among students, which they say is compounded by reports of increased violence and drug use. (FILE PHOTO)

Police and school administrators are working to address a rash of complaints around cyberbullying and the illegal distribution of nude photos at Iqaluit’s Inuksuk high school.

Over the last couple of weeks, the Nunavut RCMP have received a number of complaints from students at the high school about incidents in which the naked photos of students have been shared with other classmates through text messaging — a phenomenon known as sexting.

“This is the first wider-scale issue we’re dealing with,” said RCMP Sgt. Yvonne Niego. “There have been smaller complaints over the last couple of years, but they are usually a one-time thing.”

“In the last couple of weeks at the high school, we’ve seen a number of students coming forward, and we believe [the complaints] are interrelated.”

The problem with sharing anything electronically is that there is no way to control what happens to images or information once it is shared, Niego said.

“There’s no privacy online,” she said. “Kids get bullied right in their own homes.”

Nunavummiut may not realize what’s at stake through: the new federal Bill C-13, passed this past spring, makes it a criminal offence for adults, as well as children as young as 12 years old, to share intimate images of anyone without their consent.

Inuksuk school administrators approached police in May to indicate they had received complaints from students. Niego said police have investigated the incidents, but no charges will be laid in this case.

“Everything has been handled respectfully, with victims and their families involved,” she said.

But Niego says the latest issues around sexting at the high school are likely just the tip of the iceberg.

“Not every incident gets reported, so I’m sure there are more cases,” she said.

The latest complaints around sexting have now prompted the school and police to intervene and provide better education and support to youth at risk.

Niego gave a talk at the high school June 10 to explain the risks of sharing photos online, and to explain to students how to maintain their privacy when using social media.

But the issue of cyberbullying among Iqaluit’s teens is only compounded by an increase of violence and the use of what Niego refers to as “club drugs,” such as ecstasy and MDMA, being reported at the school.

“When you get a combination of the sexting and these synthetic drugs, it gives you a quick high, but then you can quickly dive down into depression and anxiety,” she said.

“It’s coming to a serious head.”

The fear, like in many other highly-publicized cases of sexting around North America, is that the victim becomes humiliated, withdrawn and at risk of suicide.

Niego points to the death of Rehteah Parsons, the Nova Scotia teen who was photographed while allegedly gang-raped. More than a year after photos of her were shared throughout her community, Parsons attempted suicide and died in 2013.

In a territory already grappling with high suicide rates, Niego said issues like sexual humiliation only put youth at an even higher risk.

She said it’s key that youth are aware of the potential impacts of sharing personal photos or other forms of cyberbullying.

“Part of it is a lack of education and awareness,” Niego said. “The other part is just teenagers going through puberty and making the wrong choices. But I think they know between right and wrong.”

Niego acknowledges that parents and the wider community also need to be aware of issues students are facing — including sexting, violence and drug use.

But when Inuksuk high school teamed up with RCMP and mental health services to host an information night for parents June 8, Niego said no one showed up.

“I think that tells me that families are oblivious to what teens are getting into,” she said. “I don’t think there’s enough awareness.”

Parents can and should set boundaries with their teenagers’ online activity and smart phone use, she said.

In the case where Nunavut youth are being bullied online or have seen their private information or photos distributed without consent, Niego advises them to report it to an adult they trust, or someone in a professional role, like a parent, teacher or police officer.

Niego also advises users of social media to be aware of their functions that allow users to report abuse or to block other users.