Organizers launched a social media campaign Wednesday in an effort to keep everyone safe during the 2016 Calgary Stampede.
The #SafeStampede hashtag was created last year by a group of concerned Calgarians to encourage respectful behaviour and to spark conversations about sexual harassment.
This year, there are three partners spearheading the initiative; the province, the Calgary Sexual Health Centre and the Calgary Stampede.
A similiar campaign was spearheaded by the Calgary Flames at the height of the so-called Red Mile.
“It actually started with the Red Mile,” Status of Women Minister Stephanie Mclean said. “There were concerns about incidents of sexual harassment going on, so the Calgary Flames embraced the initiative of women speaking out and using a particular hashtag to address their concerns.”
“We all have the responsibility to be active bystanders, to intervene when you see a situation that involves harassing behavior and to take an active stance.”
The Calgary Stampede saw the hashtag pop up last year and didn’t hesitate to get involved.
“For the Stampede to get on board and support this is all about western hospitality. We believe that our city’s reputation as a safe, welcoming, warm city should be at its best during Stampede,” Director of Community Engagement for the Calgary Stampede Kurt Kadatz said.
The 2016 Calgary Stampede runs July 8 to 17.
For more information on #SafeStampede go to www.SafeStampede.ca.