Not to split hairs here; but in order for someone to have power over another - the 'victim' (for lack of a better word) has to allow it to happen as well.
Yes, I don't disagree but that's why I mentioned the specific groups that I did. With young kids and teens, the power of the group is a very big deal, and they often just haven't developed enough to be able to stand up for themselves. So they only "allow" it because they just don't know how to cope with it, you know what I mean?
And don't forget too that bullies are essentially cowards. They seek out individuals that they can hold power over, somebody physically smaller or someone who's in a desperate situation that will put up what they dish out because they feel they have no choice.
While I absolutely do not ever blame the victim (and to be clear, I don't think you're doing that either) the irony of it is that in order to get out from under a bully's hold, they need to be empowered. Very similar to an abused child or spouse, they get ground down self-esteem wise so while they are really the only ones that can pull themselves up, it's nearly impossible to do so. That's why these things tend to cycle the way they do.
Leah's specific case is unusual in that the rapists used their violent crime as further leverage against her.... To be honest, I am still stunned that the authorities were not able to roast these sick bastards on the sexual assault alone.
In this specific case, it was a bombardment and I think it was overwhelming to her. She was knocked off kilter by the assault, who wouldn't be?, and then continued to be knocked around by the continued pressure and taunting.
And it's Rehtaeh by the way, Leah is the mom.
The word revenge can easily be exchanged with retribution. Personally, I don't have too much problem with this, especially when it is unrelated members of society that confront the 'bullies' and dish 'em up some of the abuse that they have doled out to others in the past.
They fold pretty fast, they are cowards after all. But I personally think we need to be careful that we don't cross that same line with them. It's not about whether they deserve better treatment, it's about being a better person ourselves. That's just my opinion.
No doubt... Most would benefit from being neutered and muzzled
Petros has a plan for that. lol