Very sad news: an example of how terrible damage can be done
We've been sent terrible news about a young AA member who appears to have been hounded to death by the aacultwatch blogspot site:
“This lady had relapsed on drugs and alcohol and was going through a hugely difficult time. During her moments of clarity she tried to recover and sort herself out. But while in insane bouts she made accusations and threats against a few AA members in public, severely damaging their reputation.
To her credit she admitted to the police (who interviewed her at least three times about different allegations she made) that these accusations were false and made amends publicly. The police were lenient - understanding she was unwell - but warned her at least twice to stop her behaviours.
A terrible turn of events came about on March 16 when the aacultwatch blogspot decided to use this lady - who was desperately trying to get well - in their political games and resentments. They publicly published on the internet, and tweeted, a version one of the allegations which she had already admitted to the police was false, and that she had made amends for. They also threatened to give the full names of people in the allegations, and circulate the allegations around the local area to charities and police and legal organisations.
She would have certainly been told about the post, and read it.
This lady died by her own hand through alcohol and drugs within 24-48 hours of this post being made public. The post attacked her partner, the father of her toddler, who she was desperately trying to reconcile with. The post portrayed her as a pathetic weakling. But most terribly, it would have put unbearable pressure on her - a terrible fear that the police were going to take more serious action against her, as an individual and a mother.
She deserved to be left alone to recover, rather than used as a pawn in the twisted games of the aacultwatch blogspot.
We will never know for sure the effect that their post had on this lady, who had bravely admitted her wrongs and was trying her hardest to recover, for herself, her toddler and her family. But what we know she would have heard about and seen the post - and within a day or so was dead.
We know that the aacultwatch blog is playing with peoples’ lives. They publish any accusations and gossip they receive, with no consideration for the damage their publishing does.
It is well known that many have left AA because of the blog, and then returned to drink and drugs. But this is the first time that a death has occurred so close to a blog post that would clearly have a massively adverse impact on the person talked about.”