Feb. 22 may officially be Pink Shirt Day, but the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre focuses on bullying prevention all year long and encourages others to do the same.
“Pink Shirt Day isn’t the only day we want to talk about bullying behaviour. Pink Shirt Day is really a day to celebrate all the bullying awareness and prevention initiatives that happen all year,” said Carlia Schwab, education and community relations manager with the centre.
“It’s really about coming together to show our support to be able to create a kind and inclusive world.”
Join us tomorrow (Feb 22) for #PinkShirtDay – a day to support and celebrate anti-bullying messages
Find resources + more info here: https://t.co/Gh8T7CRaHm#CentralAlberta #RedDeer #Education #Bullyingprevention pic.twitter.com/PTpFcFbrOw
— CASASC (@CASASC2) February 21, 2023
Pink Shirt Day started in Nova Scotia in 2007 and has grown to be recognized in countries around the world each year on the last Wednesday of February.
Schwab said Pink Shirt Day and what it represents is not “new and fancy” but has proven to have staying power.
“(Anti-bullying) is a standard, everyday conversation that happens across Canada and people are recognizing it as an important conversation to have.”
Related:
Students need to know they have the right to report cyberbullying, says online safety expert
Each year the centre makes a Pink Shirt Day Resource package available for free to schools in the six central Alberta school jurisdictions, and communities.
Some schools are closed this week, but the information package helps them plan anti-bullying activities or campaigns throughout the month of February. Most schools celebrated Pink Shirt Day last week, ahead of the break.
The centre will also celebrate Pink Shirt Day and bullying prevention at the Red Deer Rebels home game on Feb. 24 at its booth in Community Corner. Tickets will be available to win Ressie the giant unicorn and other prizes. Wear something pink for a free sticker and one free entry for a kids colouring package prize draw.
Related:
Students, central Alberta community celebrate Pink Shirt Day
Schwab said people of all ages need to be aware of what bullying looks like and how to prevent it from happening.
“Prevention is possible.”
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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