There is a movement coming to Estevan with the goal of helping youth with bullying, and it comes as a wave of pink.
The Red Cross' Pink Shirt Day this April will be the first in the Energy City, and the day will be marked with a march around downtown beginning and ending at the courthouse.
George Barker, the community outreach co-ordinator in Weyburn, said the occasion is out in the community and not just the schools because the problem with bullying isn't one that occurs only in the schools and shouldn't be expected to be dealt with only in the schools.
"The community needs to understand bullying is not a school issue; it's a community issue, and they have a role," said Barker.
Centring the march around the courthouse is meant to give some more weighty significance, noted Barker, as he calls it a "fitting representative" by which to remind people of the laws of the land and why they were created.
"We made laws in this land to protect us, and we want to make sure we stay safe."
Barker has already co-ordinated with the Holy Family Roman Catholic School Division who will participate in the march, and he'd like to see the other schools involved as well. He noted that individual schools can participate in Pink Shirt Day with activities within their schools.
Weyburn held its first march last year with great success. All of the elementary schools were involved as well as some students from the Comprehensive School, and in total, Barker estimated there were between 800 and 1,000 people who turned out for the march.
Schools, businesses and anybody else in the community can get involved. Orders for pink T-shirts must be made by Feb. 1, and all proceeds from the sales will go to the Red Cross' bullying prevention programs, particularly the RespectED program.
Barker said they don't just like to talk about anti-bullying, which is the word that is often used to describe the efforts of events such as Pink Shirt Day, but he said they prefer the term respect.
"We like to talk about respect for each other. It's all right to be different. If we can make the province green for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, we can make the province pink to say 'no' to being disrespected."
Barker said bullying is around, whether people see it or not, and now it may be more difficult to pinpoint. He added that cyberbullying is becoming more prevalent. With more of the bullying happening online or via text message, there is a separation between the bully and the victim. He called this kind of bullying "twisted" but noted that awareness of cyberbullying is growing.
Awareness can mean many things. Informing members of the community that bullying may be happening around them is one message to glean from this campaign. For youth however, Barker said something he wants them to be aware of is how to deal with bullying.
"We're trying to empower them to help them ... solve their own problems and give them support to stand behind them if they need help."
Barker said a youth who is bullied should feel comfortable speaking to a teacher, pastor, peace officer or parent. He noted that there is always the Kids' Help Phone Line.
The march in Estevan will be held on April 4, beginning at the courthouse. The Weyburn march will be April 3. Those who want to order a T-shirt to support Pink Shirt Day can e-mail [email protected]
