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Facebook apologises for dating advert featuring image of dead teen

'Possibly the worst Facebook ad ever. I am completely bewildered and disgusted by this. This is my daughter, Rehtaeh'

Facebook has issued an apology after a dating advert featuring a picture of a Canadian teenager who took her own life after months of bullying was posted on the site.

Rehtaeh Parsons, 17, from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, was subject to months of online bullying after she was allegedly sexually assaulted and a photo of the event was circulated on the internet.

She attempted suicide and died after being taken off life support in April this year.


A dating advert, by ionechat.com, appeared on the social networking site on Tuesday with an image of the teen.

The company said it was a "gross violation" of its policies and has been removed and the dating website has been banned. The site has also been taken down.

Her father, Glen Canning, said he was disgusted to see the photo.


[Cyberbullying: Arrests Over Canada Teen Death]




In a blog post, titled 'Possibly the worst Facebook ad ever', he wrote: "I am completely bewildered and disgusted by this. This is my daughter, Rehtaeh. They have her in an ad for meeting singles. I don’t even know what to say."

The advert featured the heading, "Find Love in Canada! Meet Canadian girls and women for friendship, dating or relationships."

Two 18-year-old men have since been arrested in connection with alleged assault and charged with child pornography offences. They are expected to enter pleas on September 19.