Maya G. / 2025-02-13
Anti-Bullying Day, also known as Pink Shirt Day, takes place on February 26 every year. It’s a day to raise awareness of bullying and show support for victims, which we demonstrate by wearing a pink shirt. The tradition originated in 2007 in Nova Scotia, when two students bought pink shirts to give to a fellow student who was being bullied for wearing pink. Unfortunately, being bullied in-person isn’t the only thing kids have to worry about anymore. There’s also cyberbullying, which is when someone gets bullied online. Various institutions have risen to the challenge however, and many laws, protocols and resources are in place to combat the rise in online hate. The CKNW Kids' Fund leads the initiative in Canada for Anti-Bullying Day, and they raise money every year for people in the community affected by bullying, both online and off. OCDSB has its own anonymous hotline for students, teachers and staff alike to report anything that concerns them: Safe Schools Reporting Tool. Our school board also routinely shares resources with students that are available 24/7, such as the Kids Help Phone, BullyingCanada, and CyberTip. The Canadian government even enforces legal consequences for cyberbullying now. All of this to say: if you feel like you or someone else you know might be the target of bullying; you are not alone, and there are many people who would love nothing more than to help you. Please reach out to a teacher, parent/guardian, trusted adult or helpline if you ever feel unsafe online or otherwise.
Links to helpful resources:
CKNW Kids' Fund: https://www.pinkshirtday.ca/
Safe Schools Reporting Tool: https://www.ocdsb.ca/our-schools/safe-caring-schools/safe-schools-reporting-tool
Kids Help Phone: https://kidshelpphone.ca/
BullyingCanada: https://www.bullyingcanada.ca/
CyberTip: https://www.cybertip.ca/en/
The Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/campaigns/cyberbullying/cyberbullying-against-law.html