OTTAWA, November 17, 2014 – The Honourable Steven Blaney, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, made the following statement today:
“Bullying Awareness Week, which runs from November 16th to 22nd, is an important initiative to draw attention to the serious issue of bullying. Now in its 12th year, the theme for this year is “Stand Up! (to bullying)”, which emphasizes the need for all Canadians to speak out against bullying and cyberbullying. Through www.bullyingawarenessweek.org, the initiative encourages people around the world to work together to prevent bullying through education and awareness.
Bullying and cyberbullying are complex issues that require all of us to do our part. Our Government is taking strong action to protect our children and youth. We have introduced legislation that would make it a criminal offence to distribute intimate images without the consent of the person depicted.
In January 2014, the Government of Canada launched the anti-cyberbullying awareness campaign, Stop Hating Online, to raise awareness among Canadians of the impact of cyberbullying and how this behaviour amounts to criminal activity. Now in its fourth phase, the national campaign has been very successful at informing parents and youth about cyberbullying with the YouTube experience #WordsHurt, and ads including “Consequences”, and “Pass It On”. The Government of Canada has also launched Canada.ca/StopHatingOnline, a comprehensive resource for parents and youth that includes information, advice and tools needed to identify, prevent and stop cyberbullying.
I encourage all Canadians to get informed and educate themselves about cyberbullying and the harmful effects it has on its victims. Everyone from government representatives, educators, non-governmental organizations, police, community groups, parents, and youth have an important part to play in stopping bullying and cyberbullying in Canada.”
Follow Public Safety Canada (@Safety_Canada) and GetCyberSafe (@getcybersafe) on Twitter, and like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/GetCyberSafe).
For more information, please visit the website www.publicsafety.gc.ca.
Information:
Jason Tamming
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-991-2924
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
media@ps-sp.gc.ca
