Make some noise against bullying!
Special Feature | victorianewsdaily | Wednesday February 27, 2013 | PAGE 1
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It started in September 2007, when two teens at a Nova Scotia high school stood up for a younger student. David Shepherd and Travis Price, both in Grade 12, heard about a Grade 9 student at their school who had been bullied and threatened for wearing a pink polo shirt on his first day of school. They decided they should do something about it and bought 50 pink shirts and tank tops to wear to school the next day. They also went online to round up support for their anti-bullying cause, which they dubbed a “sea of pink.” It worked. The next day, dozens of students were outfitted with the discount shirts, but even better, hundreds of students showed up wearing their own pink clothes, some from head to toe. The bullies were reportedly never heard from again. This year, Feb. 27 is Pink Shirt Day in B.C. and other parts of Canada, an annual anti-bullying event that started after the now-famous 2007 “sea of pink” campaign. The need for awareness and action against bullying remains as strong as ever say those involved in the pink event, including local radio station CKNW, Black Press, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Vancouver, and London Drugs, where people can buy the official pink shirts for 2013. “Awareness of what bullying is and understanding that it hurts is important,” says Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Vancouver president and CEO Carolyn Tuckwell. “It isn’t just a rite of passage. It doesn’t have to happen. And it’s relevant to everyone, whether in school, after school or in the workplace.”
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According to www.bullyingcanada.ca, as many as 25 per cent of children in Grades 4 to 6 have been bullied and approximately one in 10 children have bullied others, while a 2004 study published in the Medical Journal of Pediatrics found that about one in seven Canadian children aged 11 to 16 are victims of bullying. It is important to recognize what bullying is, and that it happens in many forms
Pink Shirt Day is Wednesday, Feb. 27 – verbally, socially, physically and online (cyber bullying), says Tuckwell. “By wearing pink, people show they’re making that commitment, to not let bullying happen,” she says. Tuckwell and others emphasize that the pink shirt is secondary to raising awareness about bullying and getting people involved. B.C. is no stranger to tragedy related to bullying. From Surrey’s 14-year-old Hamed Nastoh, who jumped off the
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Patullo Bridge and killed himself after leaving a note behind blaming the constant bullying he endured at school, to Mission’s Dawn-Marie Wesley, 14, who committed suicide by hanging herself after relentless bullying, to Port Coquitlam’s Amanda Todd, 15, who killed herself after posting a video on YouTube talking about her experiences with cyber bullying, there are countless told and untold stories that remain horrific. The provincial government has taken steps to address bullying in recent years, including a Ministry of Education resource brochure for parents in 14 languages that can be found online at www. bced.gov.bc.ca/sco. Net proceeds benefit the CKNW Orphans Fund in support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Coast BC. The Boys and Girls Clubs offer programs that foster self-esteem, social engagement, academic success, inclusion, acceptance, respect for self and others, and connection to community. The CKNW Orphans Fund is committed to enhancing the lives of children with physical, mental and social challenges living in BC communities. The fund includes children who are bullied under the scope of the fund’s work, because these children will need extra support for their development.
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Make some noise against bullying!
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Cyber-bullying remains a significant concern for youth and parents Some 23 per cent of parents with teens say their teen has been cyber-bullied (as have eight per cent of adults) While “bullying” brings with it images of a boy targeting schoolmates on the playground, or girls ostracizing others with gossip or shunning, today’s bullying has taken on many additional forms. With the advent of Facebook, Twitter, texting and innumerable other forms of “public” electronic communication, cyber-bullying continues to show up among all ages. According to a recent Insights West6S Marketing study on social media behaviours and attitudes of 504 online BC adults, 48 per cent are “very concerned” about cyber-bullying in society overall, and a further 41 per cent are “somewhat concerned.” Of the 18 per cent of adults in B.C. with teens in the home, an alarming 23 per cent of parents say their teens have been victims of cyberbullying. Explains the Government of Canada’s GetCybersafe website, “Cyberbullying involves the use of the Internet, social networking sites, websites, email, text messaging and instant messaging to repeatedly intimidate or harass others. “Cyberbullying changes the way we define bullies. A cyber-bully is not necessarily physically tough and intimidating. Hidden behind a computer, the intimidator could very well be a shy and quiet person. In addition, victims may not even know who the cyber-bully is, if communications are anonymous. And often, what’s said online is harsher than what might be said face to face.” Examples of cyberbullying include sending abusive, threatening or mean emails, texts or instant messages intended to hurt and embarrass; uploading embarrassing photos and spread-
ing them through social networks, email, texts, etc.; posing as another person on social networks, email, text or in chat and sending embarrassing messages as that person; and tricking others into sharing private information that could be embarrassing and then making it public. Cyber-bullying is not a problem exclusive to the teen world. The Insights West-6S Marketing study found that eight per cent of adults themselves claim to have experienced it – and incidence increases to 12 per cent among those classified as “heavy” social media users (those who use Facebook or Nearly a quarter of parents of teens say their child has been cyber-bullied. Twitter at least once a day). Those in the 18 to 34-year-old category Facebook on daily, a figure that increases to 64 per are also substantially more likely to cent among 18 to 34 year olds, and 50 per cent of 35 to report being cyber-bullied (15 per cent) 44 year olds (daily Facebook use is reported by 29 per than those in other age groups). cent of the 55+ age group). Although the incidence of cyberTalk to children about cyber-bullying, letting them bullying has hit alarming numbers of 23 know they can come to you about an incident involvper cent, it still pales in comparison to ing them or someone they know. At the same time, the fact that the majority (58 per cent) ensure they understand bullying in all its forms is of parents say their teens have been wrong – and are aware of the types of bullying behavvictims of “traditional” bullying. iours, advises the GetCyberspace website. The poll suggests that B.C. residents Tell them to stop what they are doing online, block believe a collective effort from indithe sender’s messages and/or profile and never reply viduals, educators, law enforcement to harassing messages. and government should play a role in If the cyberbullying includes physical threats, have countering cyber-bullying. an adult contact the police. Save harassing messages The relatively new social phenomenon and forward them to your Internet Service Provider, of cyber-bullying is driven by the relaas most have policies restricting users from harassing tively large number of British Columbiothers over the Internet. ans engaged in social media activities. For more information, visit www.getcybersafe.gc.ca Currently, 46 per cent of adults use
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What does Pink Shirt Day mean to you? “I think Pink Shirt Day means that it doesn’t matter what skin colour, culture, religion, or gender you are – bullying isn’t okay! In fact, my middle school has a group called the YCI (Youth and Cultural Identity) club. It teams up with Lambrick Park High School, and it specifically stands up to bullying.”
– Janet Dawson, Grade 6, Gordon Head Middle School
Challenge your friends and co-workers to commit to a bully-free lifestyle and wear pink on Feb 27, 2013.
Special Feature | victorianewsdaily | Wednesday February 27, 2013 | PAGE 3
Challenge your friends and co-workers to commit to a bully-free lifestyle
and wear pink on Feb 27, 2013.
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Victoria stands tall against bullying By Jennifer Blyth Bullying can happen to anyone, at any age, but local schools, youth groups, community organizations and businesses are working together to put an end to it. “Anti-bullying is a large focus in all of our schools – elementary, middle schools and secondary, and Pink Shirt Day is a day when awareness is raised about anti-bullying, acceptance and tolerance,” says Greater Victoria School District Deputy Superinten-
dent Sherri Bell. The district makes pink T-shirts available to local schools – providing some 2,000 shirts for 2013. “It’s growing every year,” she says, “and the nice thing is that everyone is doing so much that’s different.” It’s the collaborations between different schools and between schools and the community that’s so exciting, Bell notes. Last year, for example, Arbutus Middle School and Reynolds Secondary students,
Possible warning signs that a child is being bullied include: n Comes home with torn, damaged, or missing pieces of clothing, books, or other belongings n Has unexplained cuts, bruises, and scratches n Has few, if any friends, with whom he or she spends time n Seems afraid of going to school, walking to and from school, riding the school bus, or taking part in organized activities with peers (such as clubs) n Takes a long, “illogical” route when walking to or from school n Has lost interest in school work or suddenly begins to do poorly in school n Appears sad, moody, teary, or depressed when he or she comes home n Complains frequently of headaches, stomachaches, or other physical ailments n Has trouble sleeping or has frequent bad dreams
collaborated on a flash mob at the Legislature. This year, Gordon Head Middle School and Lambrick Park Secondary have a number of activities planned together. Spreading those connections even further, Lansdowne Middle School students are working with Hillside Centre and EllisDon – Kinetic Construction to help stop bullying – wherever it happens. On Wednesday, Feb. 27 – ‘Anti-Bullying Day’ – Hillside Centre employees, retailers
n Experiences a loss of appetite n Appears anxious and suffers from low self-esteem
Possible warning signs that a child may be a bully include: n Positive views towards violence n Often aggressive towards adults – including teachers or parents n Marked need to control and dominate others and situations n Boy bullies tend to be physically stronger than their peers n Hot-tempered, impulsive, easily frustrated n Often tests limits or break rules n Good at talking their way out of difficult situations n Show little sympathy toward others who are bullied
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WA L L - B E D S and hundreds of construction workers on site will be wearing pink to show the importance of ending bullying. By putting on their ‘Bullying STOPS Here’ T-shirts and armbands, they’ll show their commitment and support for all those working to end bullying. Lansdowne Middle School students will also be at the Hillside Centre Food Court at 11:45 a.m. to hand out pink paper bracelets with the message, “Be an ally – stand up against bullying.” Bullying affects everyone from kids in school to those in the workforce, and by stopping it early we can make going to school or going to work better for everyone. Hillside will also match the money collected from “Bullying STOPS Here” T-shirt sales and a donation will be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Victoria, a non-profit organization providing before and after school programs, youth justice programs and several other youth and family services. Individual Boys & Girls Clubs around the Capital Region will also be joining the fight against bullying. “Pink Shirt Day unites people in a movement to change people’s attitudes towards bullying. It teaches young people that we need to be more accepting of differences and that we cannot stand by and watch as bullying occurs around us.”
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Make some noise against bullying! Help put a stop to bullying. Wear the shirt. Be the difference.
How parents can help put a stop to bullying
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While schools and students, along with organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs, have been key to raising awareness about bullying and related issues, parents are an essential component to any discussion. The BC government’s Health Link BC offers the following tips for parents, whether they may be concerned a child is being bullied or that at child may be exhibiting bullying behaviour: • Have open discussions about bullying before it starts, including how to recognize and react to bullying. “Also, talk about and model empathy, which is being sensitive to and understanding how other people feel. This can help prevent your child from becoming involved in bullying others.” • Recognize that bullying is not a normal part of growing up and should not be ignored, including behaviour that makes others feel excluded and shunned. • If you witness bullying as an adult, intervene and speak up. If possible, build an alliance with a bullying child’s parents first to facilitate discussion. • Help your child understand that his or her words and actions affect other people. You play an important role in making your child aware of others’ feelings. • If you see behaviour that suggests your child may be bullying others, take action. “Discuss the situation with your child as soon as possible before the behaviour becomes routine. Ask questions to find out what is going on in your child’s life. It may be that your child is being bullied and is dealing with it by targeting other children. Or your child may not yet know the importance of un-
An open discussion about bullying can help children recognize bullying behaviours and how to react. derstanding the feelings of others (empathy).” • Set rules, supervise activities and lead by example, controlling your anger and respecting others. “If a child bullies, do not punish him or her with physical force (corporal punishment), such as spanking. Physical punishment only strengthens the belief that people can get what they want through aggression,” HealthLink suggests. • Seek help from your child’s teacher, principal, school counsellor, pediatrician, or family doctor. • Many children may not tell an adult about being bullied, for fear of being embarrassed or fear they will make the problem worse. “Help prepare children by teaching them socialization skills,
modelling friendly behaviour and telling them that you will always be there for them. Mention that if something bothers them, they can also talk with a school counsellor.” • Be familiar with signs of bullying, such as frequent headaches, stomach aches, or not wanting to go to school. • Talk to your child about school, friends and recess activities. • If bullying is happening, talk about the situation. If a child is reluctant, “a good place to start these discussions is in the car or other place where you have little eye-to-eye contact. Listen calmly and thoughtfully. Don’t promise that you won’t tell anyone. Rather, admit that you may need to become involved but you will do your very best not to make
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Victoria host Anti-Bullying Film Festival in April While Pink Shirt Day is a great way to drawn national attention to the issues of bullying each February, those working hard to end bullying behaviour know it’s a year-round concern. That means the focus on preventing bullying doesn’t end with Pink Shirt Day. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Victoria are looking forward to their second annual Anti-Bullying Film Festival April 5 at the Vic Theatre downtown. The Boys & Girls Clubs launched the Youth United Anti-Bullying Film Festival last year. Youth in Victoria were invited to make a 30-second public service announcement that creatively conveyed an anti-bullying message. More than 20 videos were submitted, each one providing a unique perspective on bullying and a call for bullying to stop. All videos are available on the Boys & Girls Clubs’ Youtube channel – http://www.youtube.com/user/bgcvic More than 130 children, teens and adults attended the screening. For details about this year’s festival, visit www.bgcvic.org
problems worse.” • Practice role-playing at home, encouraging your child to react calmly and confidently. Teach behaviours that show confidence rather than shyness and vulnerability. • Help build your child’s selfesteem by suggesting that he or she meet others through different activities. Having friends and interests can boost a child’s confidence and make him or her less likely to be bullied. • Encourage your child to think about the qualities that make a good friend. • Suggest that your child join activities that are supervised by an adult. For more information, visit www.healthlinkbc.ca
What does Pink Shirt Day mean to you? “We think Pink Shirt
Day is a day where you take a stand and show people how much it can hurt someone but also showing those kids that they are not alone and always have a friend who cares and will help them - Cassidy Kellett, Grade 6, through.” Colquitz Middle School & Kira Kellett, Grade 9, Spectrum Secondary
Challenge your friends and co-workers to commit to a bully-free lifestyle and wear pink on Feb. 27, 2013.