Tricia Norman, Rebecca Sedwick's Mother, Vows to 'Make Society a Safer Place' After Daughter's Suicide
The mother of Rebecca Sedwick, who committed suicide after years of bullying, has said she plans to sue "those responsible" for her daughter's death and bring more awareness to the problem of bullying.
"People keep asking me, 'How do you feel?' I don't really know how to answer that question," Tricia Norman said during a press conference. "I feel like I'm living a nightmare and I can't wake up. My heart aches constantly. My body is numb. I can't sleep. My happiness no longer exists. My baby is gone."
Those accused of bullying Sedwick were initially arrested and charged with stalking, but prosecutors dropped all charges last week. The case has brought new attention to the problem of cyberbullying, and Sheriff Grady Judd has said he would do whatever it took to shed new light on the situation and get help for the girls accused of bullying.
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"I'm very angry with the individuals I believe are responsible for my daughter's death," Norman added. "I keep waiting for an apology I now know will never come. I intend to hold them accountable to the full extent of the law."
Norman will pursue wrongful death lawsuits in civil court in Florida. She is also looking to bring a new law to the state known as Rebecca's Law, which would criminally punish bullies and, in another piece of legislation, Norman hopes to pass the "first-ever federal anti-bullying law."
The Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2013 would force schools to enforce policies and procedures to address bullying in order to receive funding from the state.
"My goal is to use this personal tragedy to make society a safer place to live," Norman explained. "I know it is what Rebecca would want."
The 12-year-old jumped to her death from a silo tower on September 9, and since her death, Norman has vowed to make sure that she is not forgotten.
