Media Advisory - Supreme Court of Canada to rule on landmark cyberbullying case: UNICEF commentary available

TORONTO, Sept. 26, 2012 /CNW/ -

What	On Thursday September 27, the Supreme Court of Canada will rule on the A.B. v. Bragg Communications Incorporated et al. case involving the alleged cyberbullying of a 15-year-old girl on Facebook and her request to shield both her identity and the degrading content from the public.
	Both the Nova Scotia Supreme Court and the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal denied A.B.'s request to protect her identity in a defamation action, and gave priority to the importance of upholding the 'open court' principle above her best interests and her rights to privacy and protection from further harm.  These rulings lead her to appeal the case before the Supreme Court of Canada. The ruling on Thursday will set a precedent on how young victims of cyberbullying or harassment will be treated within the legal system.
	UNICEF Canada intervened in this case to ensure that the Courts protect the rights and best interests of children consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which Canada has ratified and committed to uphold. UNICEF asserts that disclosing the identity of the child and the harmful content of the case will have negative repercussions for children who wish to pursue justice for cyberbulling in the future.
Who	Marv Bernstein, UNICEF Canada's Chief Advisor, Advocacy.
When	Marv Bernstein is available for interviews on Thursday, September 27, 2012 following the release of the Supreme Court decision.
Where	Toronto, Ontario
Why	Canada is one of the most connected countries in the world and the first to connect all public schools and libraries to the internet. 94% of young people say they access the internet at home. Of Canadian children and young people who say they have been bullied, 27% say they were bullied over the internet.

For background information on cyberbullying and to read UNICEF's report Child Safety Online: global challenges and strategies, connect to www.unicef.ca/onlinesafety.

UNICEF
UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization. We work tirelessly to help children and their families, doing whatever it takes to ensure children survive. We provide children with healthcare and immunization, clean water, and food security, education, emergency relief and more.

UNICEF is supported entirely by voluntary donations and helps children regardless of race, religion or politics. As part of the UN, we are active in over 190 countries - more than any other organization. Our determination and our reach are unparalleled. Because nowhere is too far to go to help a child survive.

For updates, follow us on Twitter and Facebook or visit unicef.ca.

SOURCE: UNICEF Canada

or to arrange interviews please contact:

Andrea Ramhit
UNICEF Canada
(Office) 416 482-4444 ext. 8890  (Cell) 416 434-2877
[email protected]