Pink Shirt Day calls us to stand up against bullying behaviour by supporting those who are bullied.
Did you know that when a bystander intervenes within 10 seconds of the start of a bullying situation, it stops completely one out of two times? Be someone’s hero and speak up when you see bullying happening.
How did Pink Shirt Day start?
In September 2007 in Nova Scotia, two grade 12 students took a stand against bullying behaviour after seeing a grade 9 student being bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school. By word of mouth and social media, they spread the word at school to wear pink as an act of solidarity against bullying. The results were overwhelming. The next day the hallways at school were full of pink!
Pink Shirt Day started in Canada and has spread to 25 other countries around the world.
How can I stand up to bullying?
Use your power to stop bullying! Everyone one has the power to make a change.
- Don’t laugh, agree or cheer when you see bullying as it encourages the behaviour to continue.
- Refuse to go along with bullying or harassment.
- Take the side of the person who is being bullied.
- Support the person being bullied by distracting the bully, separating them from the bully or helping them to report the bullying.
- Check in often with someone who is being targeted with bullying.
- Block someone on social media who sends negative messages, even if they are not directed toward you. Encourage your friends to do the same.
- Take away the bully’s power. Bring others together to stop the spread of hate.
Educator Ideas for Action
- Share anti-bullying messages on your school’s social media page from the WECHU Bullying Awareness Resources (English and French)
- Integrate prevention and awareness into your curriculum. Use this activity idea as part of a geography or social studies lesson:
- Use PREVnet’s Bullying Prevention and Intervention in the School Environment toolkit.
- Bullying is done where no adults are around. Have students map out where bullying happens at their school, then present a report of their findings to the principal.
- Recognize Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17th:
- Encourage students to complete a random act of kindness everyday to create an inclusive and accepting community.
- Check out the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation for a free Kindness Calendar for Schools and K-5 Lesson Plans based on SEL or create your own classroom calendar.
- Visit the WECHU Educators’ website to access our Bullying Awareness toolkit and more information.
Tips for parents or caregivers
Parents or caregivers can find helpful information below about bullying, signs of bullying, and what to do if a child is being bullied or is seen bullying. These resources also help children build healthy relationships and prevent violence.
- Parents of Pre-School Children
- Parents of Elementary School Children
- Parents of Adolescent Children
- Parents of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning Youth
- Questions to ask when talking to your child's school
- Bullying – Additional Help for Parents and Caregivers (the WECHU)
Cyberbullying has become a growing issue with the use of personal electronic devices and social media. Here are resources specifically about cyberbullying: