Message from Transit Police Chief Ward Clapham:
In police work, we see the consequences of bullying everyday.
My Transit Police officers come across it often, dealing with violent crimes committed by people whose pattern of behaviour started with bullying early in life. During my policing career, I’ve dealt with far too many suicides by young people who were the tragic victims of bullying.
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.
When people in a community stand up to bullying they help demonstrate the kind of caring, concern and acceptable behaviour that makes a community safe. By teaching our young people that bullying is wrong and unacceptable, we are helping them choose the right path in life.
That’s why Pink Shirt Day on April 14th is such an important community call to action. By wearing something pink on April 14th, you will be part of a common voice that speaks to the kind of action that focuses on teaching young people to turn to the tools they need to stand up against bullies and to step in safely when they see bullying happen.
Transit Police work closely with all members of the community in our relationship policing efforts, targeting the root causes of crime to prevent crime before it happens. We are enthusiastic about supporting Pink Shirt Day as a one high profile awareness initiative aimed at targeting a root cause of crime—bullying.
On behalf of Transit Police, I encourage you to join me in wearing something pink on April 14th to symbolize that as a society we will not tolerate bullying anywhere.
By purchasing an official Pink Shirt, you will be supporting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Vancouver’s anti-bullying programs. The Boys and Girls Clubs deliver programs that foster self esteem, social engagement, academic success, inclusion, acceptance, respect for self and others, and connection to community—all of which are key elements of bullying prevention.
For more information on bullying, please visit:
