True North Strong?

There is no shortage of bullying right here in Canada. A study conducted in 2010 surveyed 33 Toronto junior high and high schools. Of these students 49.5 percent of them said they have been a victim of bullying online. In a recent survey by the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association it was found that 46 percent of kids have been affected by bullying. In an interview Debra Pepler, a professor at York University and scientist at Sick Kids, said that there is not enough being done on a national level. There has been an increase in initiatives to combat bullying but more still needs to be done, just because one thing works at a certain school does not mean it will work at another, it is all about working with the specific circumstances. In Canada the Harper Government has created websites with information regarding the prevention and dealing with of bullying situations. They have also been behind the Walk Away, Ignore, Talk it Out, Seek Help program that targeted elementary students to prevent bullying, and are also working on a number of school-based projects to target bullying. In addition to all these bullying prevention acts they are also looking at the consequences and how to adjust the Criminal Code in order for bullies to be given the proper punishments. Even with all of this there is still much room for improvement. It should not be left to the government to put into action prevention initiatives; it should be up to everyone. ​​