Stand Up Against Bullying Day in Nova Scotia Date in the current year: September 12, 2024

Bullying involves repeated, systematic aggressive behavior meant to cause physical, emotional, or psychological harm to another person. Unlike normal peer conflict, bullying is intentional and rooted in an imbalance of power—whether physical or social.

While bullying can happen at any age and in various settings that involve human interaction, school bullying is particularly concerning. Children are especially vulnerable, and the impact of bullying during their formative years can have lasting consequences throughout their lives.

Cyberbullying—a more recent form of bullying compared to verbal, emotional and physical abuse—emerged with the rise of technology, social media, and the internet. Unlike physical, emotional, or verbal bullying, cyberbullying is harder to monitor as it often occurs off-campus and is usually anonymous. Many adults still view it as less serious than traditional bullying, which makes it more challenging to address.

Globally, about one-third of students experience bullying, with marginalized and vulnerable groups being disproportionately affected. Bullying negatively impacts their mental, emotional, and physical health and creates an environment of fear that hinders their ability to learn. The effects can persist into adulthood, making survivors more prone to stress and difficulty managing it.

Bullying can cause anxiety, depression, ongoing stress, and feelings of helplessness. Over time, victims may develop PTSD or other mental health issues, and in rare cases, may even consider suicide. Some victims, in turn, seek revenge and become bullies themselves.

The inspiration for Stand Up Against the Bullying Day came from Central Kings Rural High School in Cambridge, Nova Scotia. In 2007, Chuck McNeill, a Grade 9 student, came to school wearing a pink polo shirt on his first day and was bullied for it. Two Grade 12 students, Travis Price and David Shepherd, bought several dozen pink shirts at a discount store and distributed them to other students to support McNeill and take a stand against bullying.

Later that year, Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald designated the second Thursday of September as Stand Up Against Bullying Day to recognize their accomplishment and send a strong message against bullying. The date was chosen to align with the start of the school year. In addition, the last Wednesday of February was designated as Canada-wide Pink Shirt Day.

Stand Up Against Bullying Day and Canadian Pink Shirt Day are not the only awareness campaigns with a focus on bullying. Similar observances include Anti-Bullying Day in New Brunswick (December 17), New Zealand Pink Shirt Day (the third Friday of May), International Day Against Violence and Bullying at School Including Cyberbullying (the first Thursday of November), International STAND UP to Bullying Day (the last Friday of February and the third Friday of November), and more.