Pink Shirt Day

Celebrated annually around the globe, Pink Shirt Day began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying, after a peer was bullied for wearing a pink shirt. In Aotearoa, Pink Shirt Day aims to create schools, workplaces, communities and whānau where all people feel safe, valued and respected. Register to join the movement!

Bullying is when someone deliberately tries to hurt someone else they think is weaker than they are. In many cases, bullying is repeated over and over and can cause a lot of pain that lasts a long time. It can even lead to things like depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.

Bullying happens in many ways, but some common forms of bullying are verbal (teasing, name-calling), physical (hitting, kicking, pushing, breaking someone’s toys or favourite things) or social (leaving someone out, spreading rumours).

Cyberbullying is using social media or other technology like texting to threaten, embarrass or even damage a person’s reputation.

While bullying affects so many people physically, emotionally and mentally, we know there are many students, parents, schools and community members that want to know what they can do to help. Every contribution, whether it’s joining us in wearing pink on February 26, 2020 to show you’re taking a stand, or making an effort to practice kindness and acceptance, or even giving a donation or fundraising for programs that make a difference, can change a life.