The City of Richmond is hosting events and activities at community centres to raise awareness about bullying prevention this week.
Expect, Respect and a Safe Education (ERASE) Bullying Day, also known as Pink Shirt Day, is on Feb. 26 and the city, school district and public library are encouraging “pink shirt” behaviour all year round.
“Reducing and ultimately eliminating bullying is a priority of our city,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie in a statement, adding that all youth, adults, city members and organizations have a “role to play in identifying and eliminating bullying in Richmond.”
Here is a list of community centres hosting various activites to promote ERASE bullying day:
Feb. 24 – 26
What: Commitments to Kindness
Where: Steveston Community Centre, 4111 Moncton Road
Drop by and write a commitment to kindness on a miniature pink t-shirt entry form, which will be displayed throughout the centre. Everyone who participates will be entered to win a prize.
Feb. 24 – March 1
What: Pink Shirt Day Activities and Book Display
Where: Richmond Public Library
Drop by all Richmond Public Library locations on Feb 26 and participate in interactive Pink Shirt Day activities. Be sure to check out the erase bullying book displays available at all library branches.
Feb. 25
What: Pink Shirt Day Activity
Where: Richmond Cultural Centre Media Lab, 7700 Minoru Gate
Watch videos and have a discussion about cyber bullying and peer advocacy. This session is offered by Richmond Youth Media Program (RYMP) RYMPers.
Feb. 26
What: Acceptance, Community, Tolerance (ACT) Day
Where: Cambie Community Centre, 12800 Cambie Road
Drop by and write a message on the Positive Message board located at the front desk. Everyone who participates will be entered to win a prize.
What: Pink Shirt Day Activities
Where: City Centre Community Centre, 5900 Minoru Boulevard
Wear pink and work out in the fitness centre for free! Enjoy pink treats in the Community Living Room, enter to win a pink gift basket and participate in the community reflection activity.
What: Pink Shirts and Popcorn
Where: Hamilton Community Centre, 5140 Smith Drive
Wear pink or pledge to support anti-bullying and get a free bag of popcorn!
What: Window Mural Painting and Youth Fitness
Where: Thompson Community Centre, 5151 Granville Avenue
Wear pink and get a free slice of pizza, help paint a community mural or take a free tour of the fitness centre.
What: Compliment Battle
Where: South Arm Community Centre, 8880 Williams Road
Enjoy pink snacks and inclusive group games and join in this battle of kindness in which youth hop on stage to say nice things about each other.
What: Pay Positivity Forward
Where: West Richmond Community Centre, 9180 No. 1 Road
Wear pink and get a free slice of pizza and stand up to bullying in a “sweet” way by writing positive messages to put in a candy bag and give to someone you know!
The ERASE Bullying Day is a strategy by the BC Ministry of Education to raise public awareness about bullying, discrimination and harassment, intimidation and to promote violence prevention.
According to the BC Ministry of Education, they have seen a province-wide increase in the use of the online ERASE reporting tool.
In 2018, 412 reports were submitted with 117 cases related to bullying or cyber bullying. This school year has seen 401 total reports submitted with 119 reported.
For more information on ERASE, visit www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/erase
