RATS & BULLIES tells the powerful true story of Dawn-Marie Wesley, who at the age of 14, hung herself in her bedroom with her dog’s leash, after being systematically bullied and threatened by three girls at her high school. The horrifying incident fueled a groundbreaking investigation by Canada’s Crown, which led to the revolutionary and precedent setting court case, where for the first time in North America, teens were arrested, charged, and made to stand trial for Bullying.
RATS & BULLIES was made in the research done for the Feature Film Project, “THE TOUGHEST GIRLS” which will show the true story of the horrifying incident and court case that changed legislation, and changed the lives of all involved forever. Visit http://www.thetoughestgirls.com/ to learn more about “THE TOUGHEST GIRLS”.
RATS & BULLIES not only tells of this compelling and emotional story, but it also provides solutions to bullying and relational aggression.
- Featured in the Documentary is NY Times Best-selling Author/Bullying expert Rosalind Wiseman, who gives her advice to teachers, schools, teens, and parents on how to prevent bullying.
- An Exclusive Interview with Honorable Court Judge Jill Rounthwaite, who presided over and handed down the precedent setting ruling. Judge Rounthwaite has never before or since granted an interview on this historic court case.
- The emotional interview with Dawn-Marie’s brother DJ Wesley, who at 12 years old, was the person to discover his sister hanging in her bedroom.
- The powerful and moving interview with Dawn-Marie’s mother Cindy Wesley, who is now an advocate for bullying prevention.
- Interviews with Dawn-Marie’s best friend Paula, townspeople, another mother whose son almost took his life due to bullying, and news reporters who covered the case
- An exclusive and emotional interview with one of the teen girls who was arrested, charged, and made to stand trial for bullying Dawn-Marie. In hearing her story, it shows other teens the life threatening danger of bullying, and the devastating lesson learned.
Why the Film was made:
Cassidy McMillan was compelled and inspired to tell this story after hearing of the tragedy when it was discussed on the OPRAH WINFREY SHOW.
McMillan set out to make the Film in the hopes of preventing another young girl or boy from taking their life due to bullying.
RATS & BULLIES has made a positive impact at schools where it has been shown. Teens have confided that prior to seeing the film they had been considering suicide due to the bullying they were experiencing, but that after seeing RATS & BULLIES, they no longer felt alone. The film reflected what they were experiencing, and that they saw suicide was not the answer and were seeking help.
Cassidy saw the efforts and work that went into making this film on this important topic, has been well worth the journey.
