Pink Shirt Day
Pink was the choice of colour at schools and in workplaces Wednesday as we raised awareness about bullying.
Bullying has been a common problem for many years.
But Spokesperson for the Respect Education program at the Canadian Red Cross Alison Richard says it continues to be an issue in schools that children face on a daily basis, “We know that the dynamics around bullying are changing with the advent of technology. Bullying is not just limited to the schoolyard anymore, and it can follow the children and it can be 24/7.”
Richard says parents can help by being a listening ear, “Allowing kids to share their stories about what is happening. Parents can also help children with problem solving, so helping them think about the adults in the school that they might be able to turn to for support,” Richard says.
The Canadian Red Cross also offers a program called Beyond the Hurt that is offered in schools across the province.
“Some of the characteristics, include a power imbalance. The youth has more power than the other youth and they are using it in a negative way in an effort to harm the person. We also see it a repeated pattern of behaviour, so it’s not just a one time thing. Richard says there is also an intent behind bullying. Hurting the other person is not accidental,” Richard says.
