Interim review on handling of Rehtaeh Parsons case to outline process

HALIFAX – An interim report from a two-person panel looking into how the Halifax school board handled the Rehtaeh (ruh-TAY’-uh) Parsons case is coming out today.

The 17-year-old committed suicide in April after months of online bullying.

Her family alleges she was sexually assaulted in 2011 and that a digital photo of the incident was shared around her school.

A spokesman for the Education Department says the interim report does not include recommendations, but contains background information and outlines the review’s methodology.

The two panellists are Debra Pepler, an expert in bullying who teaches at York University in Toronto, and Penny Milton, the former CEO of the Canadian Education Association.

The province has said the final report by the two experts will determine whether board policies were followed and make recommendations to address gaps in procedures.