11 years ago, two boys in Cambridge, Nova Scotia decided to take a stand against bullying, and they unintentionally created the globally-recognized "Pink Shirt Day" to encourage anti-bullying.

Since then, more and more schools, workplaces, and individuals have started to approach bullying head on in an attempt to curb the problem.

Red Cross has been at the front line of anti-bullying, creating and supporting many initiatives among students and communities to spread the messages of tolerance and acceptance. They also hold multiple "Pink Days" across Canada every year, with one coming up in Saskatchewan on February 28th.

To show the City of Moose Jaw's support, Mayor Fraser Tolmie, Saskatchewan Red Cross Outreach Coordinator Jan Radwanski, and his son Jacob got together February 9th to sign a proclamation in honour of the day.

Radwanski has a background in the school board and hockey, and has seen the way some kids can disrespect each other in school and on the ice.

"Obviously, in the game of hockey, there is penalties to be awarded and consequences there, so in real life it's the same thing," Radwanski explained. "If we're not treating each other with respect out in our communities and our workplaces and our schools then there are consequences, but the good thing about the anti bullying programs is that there's an opportunity to create some understanding about what's happening when a person does get bullied."

Bullying is a major issue among youth, and can come in many forms, from exclusion to verbal, physical, and online bullying. Many schools are now putting in place anti-bullying groups and other initiatives to get students involved and get a message spread across to their peers besides having students listening to teachers and presentations. Research has actually shown that Red Cross training can help change youth behaviour, as 93% of students surveyed by the Red Cross shows they will no longer engage, standby, or not prevent bullying.

"It's something that if we can educate a student at a young age they have that concept of what to if they're bullying, how to counter it and how to participate in the anti-bullying campaign," Radwanski said. "If we can train a student, get them educated, they can carry that for life and they can also help with their own environment."

You can learn more about Pink Day in Saskatchewan and find resources on the Red Cross' website to make sure to prepare yourself and others for Pink Day this February 28th.

 

The City of Moose Jaw's proclamation, signed by Mayor Tolmie.