In the wake of last week’s tragic suicide involving British Columbia teen, Amanda Todd, discussions have been raised about bullying across the country.
The issue made it all the way into the House of Commons Monday where MPs discussed the idea of a National Bullying Strategy.
“It’s violent and harmful and bullying is always wrong and it should never be tolerated,” said Candice Bergen, Parliamentary Secretary for Public Safety.
“We need more concrete action,” said NDP MLA Dany Morin. “That’s why my motion is to create this national strategy.”
In Saskatchewan, thanks to provincial legislation, every school division has developed a bullying policy.
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Education Minister Russ Marchuk says the policies are strong, but Saskatchewan could definitely play a role in a National Strategy.
“It’s a problem in society and we really need to work at it,” said Marchuk. “Information is information is information and we need to do everything we can to alleviate concerns that our children have.”
He says they work closely with the school divisions to bring in anti-bullying education.
But in many cases, the school system is accused of not taking enough action.
“They do what they think is right, but I think this goes on so much after school that it’s hard for the school to keep up on it,” said Linda Thauberger, a child Psychologist with Regina Child & Youth Services.
Thauberger says that forces parents to have to advocate for their kids in the education system.
Both Regina Public and Catholic School divisions declined the opportunity to talk about their bullying policies.
The Regina Police Service created a bullying by-law in 2006 to try and provide immediate consequences to bullies after hours, but an RPS spokesperson says it’s not exercised often.
Thauberger says the embarrassment of bullying can deter teens and parents from calling police, but suggests legislation from the Federal Government could help everyone take responsibility for addressing the problem.
“It does need to come from the top down for people to know this is serious,” she said.
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