While a triple murder in Alberta is raising questions about the world of goths, those involved in the culture say it's not about violence.

A 12-year-old girl and a 23-year-old man are facing murder charges in the deaths of the girl's parents and younger brother in Medicine Hat, Alta.

Reports have linked the girl to goth culture and goth websites.

Meaghan Allen, a 20-year-old Winnipeg woman who goes by the name Creepie Kitty, feels she has been receiving more hostile glances on the street since the murders.

"We feel there's a lot of prejudice involved," she said. Goth culture, she said, is about music, dress and for some, practices ranging from witchcraft to devil worship.

"We basically want to tell everyone that music or fashion doesn't tell you to kill someone. You make the choice yourself."

Culture called convenient target

Elaine Foster, who has been involved in Vancouver's goth culture for 20 years, said goths make convenient targets.

"There are some hateful lyrics in some goth songs, but there are some equally scary lyrics in country and western music. Disturbing stories about isolation, betrayal, murder – some pretty dark stuff there actually," she said.

Foster admits goth culture has a dark side, but said it's not causing people to become violent.

"Just because you're in goth culture doesn't mean you're going to attack people or murder people, or steal things or anything," she said.

Foster said instead of blaming goth culture or the internet for the Medicine Hat deaths, people should be looking at why a 12-year-old girl was involved with a 23-year-old man and surfing on adult websites.