Today the Peace River Regional District joins thousands of people across Canada in wearing a pink shirt to raise awareness about the prevention of bullying and harassment. According to Public Safety Canada, one-third of the population has experienced bullying as a child and 40 per cent or nearly half of Canadians have experienced bullying in the workplace.
Pink Shirt Day was born in 2007 when two Nova Scotia high school students distributed pink t-shirts to their peers to stand in solidarity with a student who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt.
Now an international movement and celebrated by Canada on the last Wednesday in February, Pink Shirt Day is a poignant reminder that an act of kindness can go a long way in creating a more kind and inclusive community.
The Regional District holds fairness, integrity and respect as core values and stands committed to ensuring that the Peace region is a space where every person feels safe.
If you are experiencing or are being impacted by bullying, resources are available:
- I AM SOMEONE Ending Bullying Society, Text ‘211’ to talk
- Kids Help Phone, Text ‘686868’
- Youth in BC, available from Noon to 1 AM