B.C. judge lifts publication ban on Amanda Todd’s name

Editor’s note: This story contains details which may be disturbing to some readers, including mention of suicide. If you need help or just someone to talk to, you can call B.C.’s line at 1-800-SUICIDE any time. The national line is 1-833-456-4566.

Ahead of the trial of the man accused of tormenting a Port Coquitlam teen more than ten years ago, a B.C. judge ruled Monday that Amanda Todd’s name is no longer subject to a publication ban.

Todd died by suicide in October 2012 at the age of 15-years-old, after a sharing a video in which she described her experience being cyberbullied.

The video went viral online and charges have since been laid against Dutch citizen Aydin Coban.

FILE PHOTO: Amanda Todd is shown in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Facebook, HO

Coban was extradited to Canada to face charges in B.C. last year, and his trial is set to begin in the spring.

He is charged with several offences under the criminal code including extortion and harassment, as well as possession and distribution of child pornography.

Due to the law surrounding vulnerable persons, the identification of a child depicted in child pornography materials falls under a publication ban.

Amanda Todd’s mother, Carol Todd, as well as the consortium of major media outlets across Canada, including CityNews, brought forward a challenge in order to lift the ban.

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Carol Todd founded a society in her daughter’s honour to bring awareness of cyber bullying and online safety issues.

She says Monday’s ruling allows her to continue advocating for a safer world for children.

FILE PHOTO: Carol Todd sits on a bench dedicated to her late daughter Amanda Todd at Settlers Park in Port Coquitlam, B.C., on Sunday October 5, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

“It was devastating to be silenced and to have to be quiet in terms of saying Amanda’s name and her story. This ruling today was a big one for myself,” Todd told CityNews.

“Being able to share her story puts a real-life person in front of the digital awareness we need to talk about more,” Todd said.

Todd also created the global campaign called “Light up Purple for World Mental Health” which is marked on Oct. 10 each year.