Understanding the Asher Brown Case
How Was Asher Brown Bullied?
Asher Brown was an 8th grader who attended the Hamilton Middle School in Houston, Texas. Subsequent to what was reported as incessant abuse, teasing, and harassment, Asher Brown took his own life. The details surrounding the tragic events that had befallen Asher Brown reveal a finite classification with regard to the nature of the bullying and abuse targeted towards Brown, which are considered to have resulted from his assumed homosexuality.
Following his death, the parents of Asher Brown explained that their son had been the victim of abuse and ridicule ranging in nature from attacks on Brown’s sexuality to the choice of clothing worn by Brown. Furthermore, Asher Brown’s parents maintained that they had filed complaints regarding the bullying experienced by their son for upwards of 18 months without sufficient recourse. Asher Brown was bullied both in school, as well as the recipient of abuse and harassment through the use of the Internet.
What is Cyber-Bullying?
Cyber-Bullying is an act of harassment and abuse that takes place within a digital setting, most commonly classified as Internet or Online-based forums. This type of verbal, emotional debasement directed at the victim is a nature of abuse that can come from both acquaintances of the victim, as well as individuals who have never met the victim.
Due to the fact that the act of Cyber-Bullying is inherent within a virtual, digital realm, Cyber-Bullying can take place through the implementation of a vast array of media, including text, pictures, and videos.
Who was Asher Brown?
Asher Brown took his own life on September 28th, 2010. He was 13 years old.
Case Details of Asher Brown’s Suicide
The following information details the events that transpired both leading up to the suicide of Asher Brown, as well as the after-effects of Asher Brown’s suicide:
Following what was deemed as relentless abuse and harassment resulting from his perceived homosexuality, Asher Brown shot himself in the head with a pistol in his home.
No criminal charges were filed with regard to Asher Brown’s abusers due to the fact that Brown’s parents were unable to provide sufficient documentation of the bullying that had transpired online.
Cyber-Bullying and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Community
The LGBT Community is an advocacy group operating as a Civil Rights group in order to both protect and preserve the unalienable rights afforded to citizens who classify themselves as homosexual. With regard to Asher Brown’s tragic suicide and the existence of hate-based bullying and intimidation, the LGBT Community serves a means of protection against inequity and injustices suffered by them as a result of undue prejudice, bias, and hate.
The LGBT Community not only offers resources and assistance to those individuals victimized by Cyber-Bullying, but also undertakes lobbying endeavors in order to ensure that the fate of Asher Brown is not repeated.
Assistance for Victims of Cyber-Bullying
Individuals who have been the victims of Cyber-Bullying, as well as those who have been made aware of events of Cyber-Bullying, are encouraged to contact the National Crime Prevention Council through their telephone number: (202) 466-6272. In the event that an individual wishes not to be named, reports of Cyber-Bullying can be conducted anonymously.
Cyber-Bullying is a very real and growing concern within modernity and the tragic events that befell Asher Brown do not have to be repeated. There is help available – no one ever deserves to be victimized.
NEXT: Understanding the Billy Lucas Case
