Submitted by the Yorkton BBBS organization
Half of all Canadian adults were bullied as a child or teenager according to a new survey. Moreover, an overwhelming majority of Canadians (85 per cent) believe that providing children and teenagers who bully others with a volunteer mentor is an effective way to reduce bullying.
Conducted by Harris/Decima for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada (BBBSC), the poll examined attitudes about bullying. The survey also studied the value of mentoring as a way to prevent abusive behaviours and help those who are bullied to rebuild their confidence and self-esteem.
Survey Findings
The Step Up to Strike Out Bullying Survey sends a clear message: Canadians are deeply concerned about bullying and are prepared to take action to stop it. 95 per cent of Canadians believe they have a responsibility to take action to reduce bullying and its harmful effects. And nine in ten believe that bullying poses a serious threat to the long-term well-being of children and teenagers.
The survey also found that the extent of bullying and harm inflicted is startling. Half of all Canadians surveyed said they had been bullied in their youth. Of these, a full third believe that the abuse they suffered had a lasting harmful affect - so it's no wonder people care so deeply about tackling this hurtful form of abuse.
BBBSC commissioned the survey to mobilize Canadians to take action to reduce bullying in their communities. From February through April, Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across Canada will be holding fundraising bowling events that offer people a powerful way to reduce bullying and its hurtful effects in their communities.
Regional Findings - Saskatchewan
The concerns of Saskatchewanians about bullying are generally consistent with other Canadians. An overwhelming majority of Saskatchewanians are passionate about protecting children and teenagers from being bullied.
Saskatchewanians also see mentors as a solution to bullying. 76 per cent agree that providing children and teenagers who bully others with a mentor is an effective way to reduce bullying.
Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies in Saskatchewan are inviting people to take a stand against bullying by getting involved in Bowl for Kids Sake events in their communities.
We want Saskatchewanians to know that there is an answer to bullying and that everyone can make a difference by getting involved in Bowl for Kids Sake.
To make the case for action, the Step Up to Strike Out Bullying Survey asked Saskatchewanians for their views about bullying and the value of mentoring as a solution.
Here are the results:
95 per cent of Manitobans and Saskatchewanians surveyed believe people have a responsibility to take action to stop bullies. (compares to 95 per cent nationally)
76 per cent agree that providing children and teenagers who bully others with a mentor is an effective way to reduce bullying. (compares to 85 per cent nationally)
84 per cent believe bullying poses a serious long-term threat to the well-being of children and teenagers. (compares to 89 per cent nationally)
54 per cent of Manitobans and Saskatchewanians surveyed were bullied as a child or teenager. (compares to 50 per cent nationally)
50 per cent of those who were bullied believe they would have benefited from having a volunteer adult mentor to help them cope. (compares to 62 per cent nationally)
A quarter (23 per cent) think the abuse they suffered had a lasting harmful effect. (compares to 30 per cent nationally)
92 per cent of Manitobans and Saskatchewanians surveyed agree that action to reduce bullying strengthens communities over time. (compares to 87 per cent nationally) "Canadians universally understand that the friendship and guidance of a mentor is one of the most effective ways to prevent abusive behaviors and help those who have been abused," says Bruce MacDonald, president of BBBSC. "By giving children and teenagers the guidance they need to become the positive and caring individuals they are capable of being, we can steer them to a positive path in life."
The one-on-one and in-school youth mentoring services provided by volunteer Big Brothers and Big Sisters have proven to be instrumental in reducing bullying and other related negative behaviours such as lack of interest in school; truancy; low self-esteem and drug and alcohol abuse.
"We are doing the best we can to stop bullying, but more volunteers and financial resources are needed to get the job done," says MacDonald. "Mentoring programs can significantly contribute to reducing bullying and its harmful effects. We invite Canadians to take a stand by participating in the Bowl for Kids Sake event nearest them.
BBBSC's Step Up to Strike Out Bullying Survey was conducted by Harris/Decima via their telephone omnibus between January 5 and January 8, 2012, with a national random sample of 1,034 adult Canadians aged 18 years and over and is considered accurate to within ± 3.1 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
Bowl For Kids Sake is slated for Esterhazy on March 31, April 1, 2012 supporting the mentoring programs in Esterhazy, Churchbridge and Langenburg. Then Bowl For Kids Sake is in Yorkton April 20, 21, 22 supporting the Yorkton mentoring programs and Melville, April 28th at Melville Bowl Arena supporting the Melville mentoring programs. "Prizes will be just as great as in years prior including an opportunity for the highest pledge collector to win a voucher for a trip for two, anywhere West Jet flies in North America," says Irma Van De Bon, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Yorkton and Area. "People who accept this invitation will help local kids today and make their communities stronger tomorrow."
People and businesses can donate to the Bowl for Kids Sake campaign or volunteer to fundraise locally by visiting www.bbbsyorkton.ca. If you want to stop bullying you can contact your local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency for more information about our local Bowl for Kids Sake event or how you can help make a difference.
