Petition for National Bullying
Prevention Strategy: Please Sign by November 21!
As we wrap
up Bullying Awareness Week, PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating
Violence Network), Canada’s authority on research and resources for
bullying prevention, commends the various initiatives that have been taking
place across the country and internationally to prevent bullying.
In particular, we
salute the recent motion of MP Dany Morin (Chicoutimi-LeFjord, NDP), who called
for all political parties to develop a national strategy against bullying.
PREVNet fully supports moving this bill forward, as we believe that a
coordinated national strategy and a public health campaign on bullying
prevention in Canada is still needed.
Next week, a motion introduced by Mr. Morin to create a National
Bullying Prevention Strategy will be voted on in Parliament. “For the Kids” is a mobilization campaign to inform MPs in the House of
Commons and to encourage them to vote in favour of the National Bullying
Prevention Strategy.
Join us in a call for
action. If you agree with this “For the Kids” initiative, you can sign a petition calling on the Government of Canada to create a special
committee to develop a national bullying prevention strategy by adopting motion
M-385. Or click here for more
information on the campaign or on writing a letter to your MP.
The vote for the National Bullying
Prevention Strategy is scheduled for Wednesday,
November 21. With only a short period of time before the vote, PREVNet
urges you to contact your MP and sign the petition calling on the Government of
Canada to play its role to end bullying.
Why is a national strategy needed?
There are many reasons
why a national strategy is still needed in Canada, and should be recognized as
a public health issue. Our research has shown us that bullying occurs every
seven minutes on the typical school playground.
Unhealthy
relationships and bullying are a risk factor for a wide range of health issues,
including physical and mental health, as well as risk-taking behaviour,
according to research from PREVNet and other federal experts. Being bullied is
devastating in a child or youth’s life because it undermines his or her strong
motivation to belong and be accepted among peers. During childhood and
adolescence, peer relationships affect all aspects of development —
intellectual, social, emotional, physical, behavioural and moral.
We believe there
should be a unified approach to key messages and activities on bullying
prevention that are taking place at a national level. PREVNet acknowledges that
bullying is a pressing and growing issue for every Canadian today, whether it
is the classroom, in the workplace, in day-to-day relationships, or online. Our
research, training, tools and resources (online and print) have received
international acclaim, and are helping to disseminate evidenced based information,
effective practices, and knowledge to the public about the importance of
positive, healthy relationships, communication and bullying prevention.
Our path is strong and
with a coordinated, unified, federal strategy Canada can soon set a worldwide
example for every child, youth, parent and Canadian today. PREVNet (www.prevnet.ca) will actively support this
campaign as it moves forward.