ItB次元官网网址檚 my responsibility.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 how Vanessa Downie responded to the news of Lower Mainland teen Amanda ToddB次元官网网址檚 suicide after years of bullying.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 gone on far too long, and we keep passing the responsibility along,B次元官网网址� said Downie, who lives in Saanich. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not going to pass it along anymore.B次元官网网址�

She has organized a candlelight vigil in Beacon Hill Park on Friday (Oct. 19).

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 to pay respect for Amanda and let her know that she is not alone.B次元官网网址�

By Wednesday morning, 64 people had committed to attending the Facebook-promoted event.

Downie herself was bullied growing up.

B次元官网网址淚t was quite rough,B次元官网网址� she said. People pretended to be her friends, called her names, poured juice boxes down her shirt. She found solace in her horse.

B次元官网网址淗e was always happy to see me. It made all the difference in the world.B次元官网网址�

ToddB次元官网网址檚 death prompted both provincial and federal governments to debate the merits of anti-bullying legislation. Downie sees that as a big step B次元官网网址� but said itB次元官网网址檚 going to take a lot more.

B次元官网网址淏ullying in general is about education and not education from the school system but (starting) much much younger than that,B次元官网网址� she said.

The vigil starts at 5 p.m. Visit for information on the gathering point. Signs and balloons in the park will direct people to the location.

rholmen@vicnews.com