Online bullying course gets boost from Alberta government

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – A program aimed at preventing bullying and harassment in Alberta schools is about to get a major boost.

Education Minister Adriana LaGrange was in Red Deer Monday to announce additional funding for the Respect in School program.

“If we’re going to prevent bullying, harassment, and discrimination in our schools, school staff must be able to recognize it when it’s happening. We must continue to challenge the idea that these types of behaviours are acceptable.”

The provincial government will contribute $300,000 a year over the next four years to the program.

Respect in School offers training courses and services to help deal with bullying, abuse, and harassment in various environments including schools.

It was co-founded in 2004 by former Calgary Flames forward Sheldon Kennedy who was at the announcement.

“These issues are critically important and the knowledge that we need to have around these issues is important and we need to make sure that we make that accessible to the province.”

Kennedy added that bullying in schools isn’t just an issue facing students.

“When a bystander steps in, the bullying stops 72 per cent of the time. Our whole goal is to empower the bystander and create a confidence within the community. It’s not just the student’s responsibility and it’s not just the adults’ responsibility, it’s all of our responsibility.”

Respect Group Inc., the parent company for the program, offers similar programs for the workplace and sports.

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