Supporting Students Against Bullying
Toronto Police Service members joined the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) in standing up to bullying by celebrating the International Day of Pink at the Board’s headquarters on April 9 in a virtual assembly presentation.
“This is a wonderful and very Canadian win for anti-bullying,” said Sergeant Rob Chevalier, who is one of the Service’s 2SLGBTQI+ Liaison Officers, said of the Day of Pink origin story.
The International Day of Pink started when a Nova Scotia teen was bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school.
His fellow students rallied – by all wearing pink – and showed their solidarity against LGBTQ-based discrimination.
“It is good that we are here today to talk about a Board priority around belonging,” said TDSB Director Clayton LaTouche of the day that brought together many presenters, including Mayor Olivia Chow. “It gives us an opportunity to reinforce the expectation and the hope and the opportunity we have to ensure that every student belongs.”
Constable Cheryl Taylor, the Service’s other 2SLGBTQI+ Liaison Officer, urged students to reach out for help when they need mental health support, noting they can easily reach out to the the Kids Help Phone by texting the word ‘CONNECT’ to the number 686868.
