Jessi Slaughter cyberbullying case
The Jessi Slaughter cyberbullying case was a U.S. criminal case involving an 11-year-old girl named Jessica Leonhardt (known online as “Jessi Slaughter” and “Kerligirl13”), whose profanity-laden videos went viral on Instagram and YouTube in 2010. The videos were made in response to allegations that a friend had raped Leonhardt and that Leonhardt had had a sexual relationship with the lead singer of the electropop band Blood on the Dance Floor, with a man named Dahvie Vanity (real name Jesus David Torres) while they were minors.[1] This led to a campaign of telephone and Internet harassment against Leonhardt and his family, mainly attributed to 4chan users and members of the Internet group Anonymous[2] A discussion began on the dangers of anonymity on the Internet and whether or not the Internet is a safe environment for minors and all people in general.[3][4]
Leonhardt told The Independent in 2016, “I wouldn't even call what happened to me cyberbullying, it was straight up bullying and harassment. It started as cyberbullying but it evolved quickly.” Vanity has repeatedly denied all allegations against him. He has also denied knowing Leonhardt or any of the other victims who have accused him of sexual assault, rape and child molestation and has stated that Leonhardt was mentally ill. [5] The song “You Done Goofed” from the band's Epic album is about Leonhardt and Vanity's alleged experiences with them. [6]
References
change- ↑ "Death threat viral star 'to keep making videos'". Australia: 9News. 23 July 2010. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
- ↑ Canning, Andrea (22 July 2020). "'Jessi Slaughter' Says Death Threats Won't Stop Her From Posting Videos on the Internet". Good Morning America. ABC News. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
- ↑ Chen, Adrian (16 July 2010). "How the Internet Beat Up an 11-Year-Old Girl". Gawker. Archived from the original on 11 January 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
- ↑ Hartstein, Jennifer (22 July 2010). "Ranting 11-Year-Old Goes Viral". The Early Show. CBS News. Archived from the original on 24 July 2010. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
- ↑ "This person became a meme and it ruined their life". The Independent. 31 March 2016. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
- ↑ Tenbarge, Kat (2 July 2020). "Myspace-famous musician Dahvie Vanity was accused of child sex abuse for years. Now the FBI is involved". Insider. Archived from the original on 14 July 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
Torres also capitalized on the firestorm against Leonhardt and his family with a song titled "You Done Goofed".