December 16, 2011 Recognizes the 3rd Annual Anti-Bullying Day

How common is bullying?

Approximately one in 10 children habe bullied others and as many as 25% of children in grades four to six have been bullied. A 2004 study published in the medical Journal of Pediatrics found that about one in seven Canadian children aged 11 to 16 are victims of bullying. Studies have found bullying occurs once every seven minutes on the playground and once every 25 minutes in the classroom.

In the majority of cases, bullying stops within 10 seconds when peers intervine, or do not support the bullying behaviour. There is a correlation between increased supervision and decreased bullying. Bullies stop when adults are around.

Students are most vulnerable to bullying during transitions from elementary to junior high school, and from junior to senior high school.

Friday, December 16, 2011 is the 3rd Annual Anti-Bullying Day. This day is meant to raise awareness, increase support and provide education on the issue of bullying to schools, workplaces and communities across Canada. In addition, the efforts of those working to end bullying will also be celebrated on this day.

Anti-Bullying Day is a day where the colour blue can be worn in honour of the Anti-Bullying Awareness ribbon in support of anti-bullying efforts across the country.