Released on June 27, 2014
The Government of Saskatchewan has invested $68,000 for the Canadian Red Cross to expand its bullying prevention program, RespectED in the province. The Red Cross provides training for adults and youth to give bullying prevention presentations and workshops to their peers and younger students.“For our students to succeed, they need to feel respected and safe,” Education Minister Don Morgan said. “The Red Cross program provides strong mentorship opportunities to assist adults in empowering youth - not just to stand up for themselves, but to become leaders and stand up and become role models for their peers.”
In 2013, the Canadian Red Cross reached over 38,000 people with violence, bullying and abuse prevention education in Saskatchewan by training individuals, groups or organizations to promote healthy, safe and inclusive environments in schools.
“We are thrilled that the Government of Saskatchewan is investing in our ability to reach students with bullying prevention education,” Red Cross Provincial Manager, Violence, Abuse and Injury Prevention, Valerie Pearson said. “This is an important step in our mission to reach every student in Saskatchewan with bullying prevention messages.”
Saskatchewan’s Action Plan to Address Bullying and Cyberbullying outlines recommendations that, when implemented, will provide students, families and schools with knowledge, skills, resources and support to help Saskatchewan children and youth feel safe and accepted at school, in their community and online.
The Government of Saskatchewan, as part of Saskatchewan’s Action Plan to Address Bullying and Cyberbullying has also supported other programs, including:
- Restorative Action Program – bringing community partners together to support and respond to the needs of Saskatoon youth so they can live in safer community;
- Kids Help Phone – providing free, anonymous and confidential phone and online professional counselling for youth 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year; and
- SaskTel “I Am Stronger” - building a social movement and a call to action to stop bullying and cyberbullying in our communities and providing resources for reporting bullying incidents.
To find out more about Saskatchewan’s Action Plan to Address Bullying and Cyberbullying, visit www.education.gov.sk.ca//Anti-Bullying/campeau-report.pdf.
For more information on RespectED training, please call 306-721-1600 or visit www.redcross.ca/what-we-do/violence-bullying-and-abuse-prevention/courses.
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For more information, contact:
Kelly Johnston
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1069
Email: kelly.johnston@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-533-7506
Christopher Clemett
Canadian Red Cross
Regina
Phone: 306-721-1643
Email: christopher.clemett@redcross.ca