Together we are stronger.
They say it takes a community to raise a child, it also takes community support to put an end to bullying and it doesn't hurt if the provincial government also lends its support.
On that note, Saskatchewan's Education Minister Don Morgan recently joined Kevin Doherty, Minister responsible for SaskTel along with students, educators, school division personnel and community members to launch an anonymous anti-bullying online reporting tool. The government is investing $250,000 in the initiative which is modelled after the ERASE tool in British Columbia, to enable children and youth to report bullying incidents online.
"Today children and youth across the province will be able to take a stand and report incidents of bullying anonymously, through computers or mobile devices."
The Ministry of Education has partnered with SaskTel's "I Am Stronger" which provides a single location for students, families, and educators to access anti-bullying supports and resources.
Once an anonymous report is made, alerts will be sent to those who can best resolve the situation. The anonymous online reporting tool will not be a replacement for emergency services. If the matter is urgent in nature or if it is a life-or-death situation, the person should contact 9-1-1 immediately.
This measure is a great addition to the Kids Help Phone - an effort already in place that provides free, anonymous and confidential phone and online professional counselling for youth 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
To learn more visit: iamstronger.ca and www.education.gov.sk.ca//Anti-Bullying/campeau-report.pdf.
Together we can make a difference!
