2009-10-03 09:24:52 -
You may purchase Rats & Bullies only online at www.ratsandbullies.com RATS & BULLIES is NOW AVAILABLE for INDIVIDUAL Purchase. This Award-Winning and groundbreaking 90 minute Documentary Film is an excellent resource for Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Youth Organizations, Anti-Bullying Organizations, Parents, Teachers, Teens, and Administrators. The cost is only $39.99 plus shipping, sales tax, and handling. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the anti-bullying organization Dawn-Marie's mother Cindy
Wesley cofounded that works with schools, parents, teens, to prevent bullying.
The Film was self funded by the Filmmakers, who made the Film in the hopes of preventing another teen boy or girl from taking their life due to bullycide.
VISA, Mastercard accepted, as well as if you wish to pay by check from your school or personal account, please click here for mailing address.
Mail Payments to The Relevant Stage/Chronicle Films - 600 S. Pacific Avenue #220, San Pedro, CA 90731 - Checks may be made out payable to The Relevant Stage.
RATS & BULLIES tells the true story of Dawn-Marie Wesley, who at the age of fourteen hung herself with her dog's leash after being systematically bullied and threatened by three girls at her high school. The incident sparked national outrage and set off an investigation that launched a precedent setting court case in the nation of Canada, where the three girls named in Dawn-Marie's suicide note, were made to stand trial. It was the first time in Canadian Court that teens were brought to trial for bullying.
The Documentary Film examines the events leading up to the tragedy, and the emotional aftermath. RATS & BULLIES explores the unique characteristics of female bullying and relational aggression, in addition to teen bullying, bullycide, and threats. The Film offers ways of preventing bullying at schools, teen groups, cliques, and preventing its dire consequences.
You'll meet Dawn-Marie's mother Cindy Wesley, whose determination to see justice done inspired her country. Hear from Dawn's best friend Paula, who recounts the lead up to the tragedy, and meet Dawn's brother DJ, who at 13 years of age, found his sister dead in her bedroom-hanging from a dog leash.
RATS & BULLIES contains the FIRST and ONLY granted interview with the female Provincial Court Judge who handed down the groundbreaking sentencing against the girl bullies, and you will also hear eyewitnesses recount the extraordinary method of Restorative Justice chosen by Cindy Wesley-a First Nations Sentencing Circle, which hadn't been done in a Crown Court for over a quarter of a century.
Also included is a featured interview with EMPOWER Program cofounder and New York Times Best-selling author Rosalind Wiseman, "QUEEN BEES & WANNABES" (from which "Mean Girls" was based), about issues regarding adolescent female bullies and bullycide.
And hear the perspective of the news media that reported on the benchmark criminal court case.
The Award-winning Film was shot on location in Mission, British Columbia, Canada; Washington D.C.; (US) and California (US).
See what others are saying about RATS & BULLIES:
"A Powerful Film" - KOCE (PBS)
"Intense" - Ryan S., age 14 (Washington Township Schools, New Jersey)
"A Very Important Work" - Rosalind Wiseman (NY Times Best-selling Author "Queen Bees & Wannabes" and CoFounder Empower Program, Washington D.C.)
"Compelling" - The Warren Reporter Newspaper
"I started tearing in the movie...she was only 14 when she died" - Patricia F., age 13 (Great Meadows Regional Middle School)
"RATS & BULLIES demonstrates that for girls, the social world is often their entire world"- George Lucas' educational magazine "Edutopia"
"Through the lens of Dawn-Marie's experience, the Film explores the secret world of teenage behavior, addressing violence as well as intimidation through less explicit means, such as rumor spreading, shunning and gossip" -- The Huntington Beach Independent
"RATS & BULLIES is an important Film. It will encourage students to take personal responsibility not to engage in bullying" -- Regional School District Superintendent Jason Bing(Great Meadows School District)
"I really liked this film. My favorite part was when the bullies got into trouble, but the one bully knows what she did was wrong and regrets it" -- Carrie A., age 15 (Great Meadows Regional Middle School)
"Five out of five stars!" - Teenspoint.org