Coco’s mother takes fight to European Parliament

THE mother of Nicole ‘Coco’ Fox, who died by suicide in 2018 at age 21, spoke at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday about the dangers of cyber bullying.

Nicole died by suicide on January 20, 2018, aged 21, after the Clondalkin woman endured three years of relentless bullying both online and in person.

Since Nicole’s death, the young woman’s mother, Jackie Fox, has gone on to advocate for laws against cyber bullying and raising awareness of the damage it causes.

Jackie’s tireless efforts resulted in a new law being enacted in December 2020, dubbed ‘Coco’s Law’, which criminalises the non-consensual distribution of intimate images.

Now Jackie has taken her fight to the European Parliament and was roundly praised by MEPs on Tuesday for her activism in trying to make cyber bullying an EU-wide criminal offence.

Jackie’s talk also featured the special screening of a short documentary film called ‘It’s Time’, consisting of Jackie detailing the relentless bullying her daughter faced and her heart-breaking death.

Frances Fitzgerald MEP, posting on social media, said: “It is time for the EU to follow with legislation on cyber bullying.”

The EPP Group – the largest political group in the EU Parliament – said: “Jackie Fox [has] achieved huge things.

“Her determination has made cyber bullying a criminal offence in Ireland.

“So, bullies are held accountable, and no family suffers injustice. We are picking up the baton to criminalise online harassment across Europe.”

Speaking to The Echo last year, after she was announced as a recipient of the freedom of South Dublin County, Jackie said Nicole’s passing had changed her life forever, but spurred her on to affect change.

“I was never one for getting into photographs or speaking in front of people, so I always say Nicole was there to push me on and I always say she pushed me to do it,” she said.

“I’m so proud of Nicole having her legacy – her name is in the Irish statute books – but it will always be bittersweet because we don’t have her here.

“We don’t get to see her smile or laugh, or hug her or talk to her again. But I’m proud that I didn’t give up, and that Nicole will never be forgotten.”

If you have been affected by any of the details in this article, please contact Samaritans on 116 123, Aware on 1800 804 848, or Pieta House on 1800 247 247.

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