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Daisy Coleman, from heartwrenching Netflix documentary ‘Audrie & Daisy’, has died aged 23

Daisy Coleman, one of the central figures of the 2016 Netflix documentary Audrie & Daisy, and founder of the sexual assault prevention organisation SafeBAE, has passed away.

Coleman was 23.

daisy coleman, audrie & daisy, death

Daisy Coleman, sexual assault prevention advocate and the star of Netflix documentary Audrie & Daisy, has sadly passed away at the age of 23.

Coleman’s mother posted on Facebook, describing, “She was my best friend and amazing daughter. I think she had to…make it seem like I could live without her. I can’t. I wish I could have taken the pain from her!”

“She never recovered from what those boys did to her and it’s just not fair. My baby girl is gone.” 

Coleman was the subject of the documentary Audrie & Daisy which paralleled the stories of sexual assault, and subsequent ostracisation, of two teenage girls in 2012 on opposite sides of America. Coleman and Audrie Pott were both sexually assaulted when they were 14 and 15, respectively. In similar stories, following the assault, both girls faced intense cyberbullying and were shunned from their communities, with Coleman’s house even being burnt down. Audrie Pott took her own life ten days after her assault.

Coleman’s abuser was 19-year-old Matthew Barnett, the grandson of a former Republican state representative. He was charged with felony sexual assault, however, it was later downgraded to a misdemeanour charge of endangerment of a minor and he served only two years probation.

Years later the case received mainstream attention and became the subject of the documentary. In 2017, Coleman went on to found the sexual assault prevention organisation SafeBAE (Safe Before Anyone Else) with the aim of ending assault among school students.


SafeBAE have posted a series of tributes to Coleman on Instagram since the news of her death.

“As many of you know, she’s struggled with healing for many years and had been making incredible progress, but healing is never a straight path and can often have setbacks,” SafeBAE described. “But she would want you all to know how much she loved this work and all of you who have joined us in it.”

“Nothing inspired her more than knowing that she could help other survivors and work to prevent sexual violence. We want you to know that our entire team is here to help and support you, as we all grieve this loss,” the post continued.

“We want to remember Daisy for the incredible person she was and the legacy she’s given us with SafeBAE.”

 

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Tributes have flooded in for Coleman.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, contact:

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