Alberta's children and youth stand up to bullying

National Bullying Awareness Week is November 13-19
Government of Alberta news release

The Alberta government urges all Albertans to stand up to bullying during National Bullying Awareness Week, November 13-19.

“Bullying of any kind is absolutely horrible. No one should ever have to live in fear from hurtful text messages on their phone or taunts and humiliation by their peers at school,” said 17-year-old Austen Rodowits of Drayton Valley, a member of Alberta’s Prevention of Bullying Youth Committee. “Together, we will promote a caring, respectful and safe province, and help make Alberta bully free.”

The youth committee is asking Albertans to share their bullying awareness ideas and activities with them by email at b-free@gov.ab.ca. Events will be held across the province to promote bullying prevention, including presentations for educators, students and community members. Go to www.b-free.ca to find out about an awareness week activity happening near you.

Through Alberta’s Prevention of Bullying Strategy, the Alberta government is working with families, schools and communities to find solutions to stop bullying behaviour, including cyberbullying and homophobic bullying. Provincial resources include the 24-hour Bullying Helpline (1-888-456-2323), resources in schools, communities and three interactive websites: (www.bullyfreealberta.ca; www.b-free.ca - includes three new bullying prevention videos - and www.teamheroes.ca). Educators can access the Media Awareness Network at www.education.alberta.ca/internetpassport, which offers free teacher training resources about helping children and youth stay safe from online bullying.

Alberta’s Prevention of Bullying Youth Committee is made up of 15 young people between the ages of 15 and 22. They provide important input into the government’s bullying prevention strategies and help create awareness of the issue in their communities. Read more about the youth committee and its members at www.b-free.ca.

Bullying Helpline 1-888-456-2323 toll-free in Alberta, anytime. Trained staff are available to help in more than 170 languages.