More initiatives are underway in Nova Scotia to take a stance against bullying. The former high school student who started Pink Shirt Day wants to make every day Pink Day.
In 2007, Grade 12 student Travis Price rallied hundreds of students at his school to wear pink T-shirts to stand up to bullies who had harassed a younger boy the day before for wearing pink.
Now Price, who had himself been bullied many times, is launching a new website to stand up against bullying.
“It’s a place for kids to be able to go and get help and there’s also tip sheets for parents as well that have all been developed by the Canadian Red Cross,” says Price.
Donations can also be made on the site, which will go toward bullying prevention programs offered by the Canadian Red Cross. Money made from T-shirt sales will also help the cause.
“I am convinced that this is going to have the same impact as seatbelt campaigns, as smoking campaigns, as recycling did, led by kids but supported by adults,” says Paul Kells, the founder of Up-standers, a network of people committed to safe and respectful workplaces and schools.
A Nova Scotia mother is also being recognized for her anti-bullying initiative. Leanne Myles is organizing a camp in June for girls in Grade 7 at West Hants Middle School.
She hopes the camp will help the girls build relationships and talk about bullying.
“I just thought I had to do something where these girls could get together for activities as well as time to share their stories with each other,” says Myles.
Myles says her daughter was bullied in Grade 6 and, for a time, was scared to go to school.
“It made me feel very insecure about myself and really scared and upset, and you didn’t really know if you should tell somebody or not tell somebody,” says Allison Fudge.
Myles’ anti-bullying efforts were recognized today in the Nova Scotia legislature.
“Anytime that we have an organization or individuals that want to reach out to make life better around this issue, I think that’s a wonderful thing and is certainly worth the recognition,” says Chuck Porter, Tory MLA for West Hants.
“It’s overwhelming to see the way Nova Scotians have stepped up and said that this is an issue that belongs to us,” says Marilyn More, the minister responsible for the status of women.
More says, in the future, the government will look to provide a place for people to bring their ideas and efforts that worked well with their families, schools and communities.
In the meantime, Price says he wants Nova Scotians to be leaders, and make every day Pink Day.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Jacqueline Foster