Sky’s Story:
A Harassment Scenario
Scenario
Sky is a 9-year-old Indigenous girl who lives in a small town and goes to school with a close group of classmates. Recently, Sky started to feel left out when some of her friends were playing a new game at recess without her. One classmate, Maya, was especially unkind to Sky.
In response, Sky began sending unkind messages about Maya through a group chat. She called Maya names such as “ugly,” “stinky,” and “stupid,” and told other kids not to talk to her. Sky also made mean comments about Maya and her family in the chat and at school for several days.
Maya felt very hurt and embarrassed. She began avoiding school because of how upset she was.
When the school found out about the messages, they contacted Sky’s caregiver. The police were also informed, and Sky has now been charged with harassment.
The case is being brought before the court. The Crown will argue that Sky’s repeated behaviour caused harm to Maya, while the Defence will argue that Sky was reacting to being excluded and did not fully understand how serious her actions were.
Roles in the Courtroom
Sky – The student accused of harassment.
Sky’s Defence Lawyer(s) – The defence lawyer’s job is to tell Sky’s side of the story in the courtroom. Multiple people can be in this role.
Crown Lawyer(s) – The Crown lawyer works for the community and the government. Their job is to try to prove that the accused person did break the law. Multiple people can be in this role.
Police Officer Sam (Crown Witness) – A police officer witness is a police officer who comes to court to tell what they saw or did in the case. They might explain how they investigated what happened.
Logan Maya’s Friend (Crown Witness) – Who is friends with Maya and saw the messages in the group chat.
June Sky’s Friend (Defence Witness) – Who has been friends with Sky for a long time.
M. Morgan Teacher (Defence Witness) – Who knows Sky and teaches them.
Court Clerk - The court clerk is the judge’s helper. They say “All rise” when the judge comes in and swear in all the wtinesses.
Jury - The jury is a group of regular people from the community. They sit together in court and listen carefully to the trial. Multiple roles.
Courtroom Artist(s) - A courtroom artist is someone who draws pictures of what happens in court because cameras are not allowed in Canadian courtrooms. The artist helps people see what it looked like by sketching the judge, lawyers, witnesses, and the accused.
The Public - The public means regular people who come to watch a trial. They might be family, friends, reporters, or anyone interested. The public does not talk or take part in the trial. Their job is to listen quietly and respectfully. Having the public watch helps make sure the trial is open and fair. Anyone without an assigned role.
The Evidence
Below is all the Evidence or the “Disclosure” in your Mock Trial Scenario.
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I was mad because Maya and the others weren’t letting me play their game.
Maya was calling me horrible names and they even pushed me at recess so I wouldn’t play.
Maya was the main person excluding me.I felt left out and like nobody wanted me around.
I sent mean messages in the group chat because I was upset Maya said those things to me first at recess.
I know now I went too far, and I shouldn’t have said those things.
I didn’t think Maya would stop coming to school because of it.
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Called to the school after reports of cyberbullying.
Teacher and principal showed me screenshots of group chat messages.
Messages contained repeated insults directed at Maya.
Spoke with Sky, who admitted to sending the messages because they were angry.
Charge laid: Harassment (for repeated hurtful communication).
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Saw the group chat messages where Sky called Maya names.
Other kids in the chat started ignoring Maya because of what Sky wrote.
Maya cried after school and told me she didn’t want to come back the next day.
I think what Sky said really hurt Maya’s feelings.
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Has been friends with Sky for a while.
Knows Sky felt really sad about not being included in the recess game.
Sky said she was mad and wanted Maya to feel the same way she did.
Thinks Sky regrets what happened and didn’t mean for it to get so bad.
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Has taught Sky this year.
Sky is usually kind and does well in class.
Knows Sky has been struggling with feeling left out at recess.
Believes Sky didn’t realize how serious her words were.
Thinks Sky needs to learn how to handle her feelings better, but doesn’t usually act this way.
