Wearing pink to raise awareness to stop bullying

Image: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

All around the country, people are wearing pink shirt in honour of Pink Shirt Day – a day aimed at highlighting the need for people to work together to stop bullying.

Pink Shirt Day is about getting the message out about creating a community where all people feel safe, valued and respected, regardless of age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, or cultural background.

Celebrated annually around the globe, Pink Shirt Day began in Canada in 2007 when two students - David Shepherd and Travis Price - took a stand against homophobic bullying after a new year 10 student was harassed and threatened for wearing pink.

Here in NZ, we've been celebrating Pink Shirt Day in since 2009 and with the campaign growing stronger and larger every year.

Institutions around the Bay of Plenty are getting involved with this year's Pink Shirt Day.

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology students are all wearing their favourite pink t-shirts to join the movement to stop bullying and spread kindness among all staff, students and the community.

All Toi Ohomai campuses are taking part, which are based in Rotorua, Taupo, Tokoroa, Whakatane and Tauranga.

The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union is also getting involved in Pink Shirt Day.

BOP Rugby marketing manager Shannon Gray says tenants in the University of Waikato Centre for High Performance building are coming together for a morning tea.

'We are all going to be sporting our pink shirts.

'The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union have partnered with our major partners Good Buzz Kombucha who will be present on the day as well.

'We are hoping to have some players around for the morning tea.”

Where to get help:

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.

Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357

Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.

Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7)

Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)

Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or emaisl talk@youthline.co.nz

What's Up: online chat (7pm-10pm) or 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 children's helpline (1pm-10pm weekdays, 3pm-10pm weekends)

Kidsline (ages 5-18): 0800 543 754 (24/7)

Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254

Healthline: 0800 611 116

Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.