On this, Pink Shirt Day, students and government leaders are calling for a united front against bullying, especially cyberbullying.
Premier John Horgan and Minister of Education Rob Fleming joined students on the steps of the BC legislature, announcing a number of initiatives to keep children and students safe in the province.
19 percent of Canadian children have experienced cyberbullying or cyberstalking.
The BC government is providing $100,000 to the BC School Superintendents' Association (BCSSA) for social media sessions to parents in every school district this school year. The Ministry of Education is also providing $35,000 to the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils to develop a new set of SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) resources for parents.
Parents and students can access bullying prevention resources, and an online anonymous bullying online reporting tool (www.erasebullying.ca)