Posted on 12 December 2011
Ottawa (December 12, 2011) – Taking into consideration the recent string of suicides due to bullying and cyber-bullying in Canada and elsewhere, the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights will examine and report upon the issue of cyber-bullying in Canada with regard to Canada’s human rights obligations under Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The face of bullying is changing and has moved from our classrooms and playgrounds and into our homes. “The committee will consider an in-depth study into a national initiative, in cooperation with provincial and territorial governments, for the prevention of cyber-bullying as an issue of child protection,” says Senator Mobina Jaffer, chair of the committee.
“We are committed to issues affecting the rights of youth. With the increasing numbers of children being victimized, not to mention the rash number of suicides, it is time for cyber-bullying to be addressed head-on. We need to look into this for the future of our country.” says Senator Salma Ataullahjan, a member of the committee and sponsor of the study.
The traditional archetype associated to bullying is outdated. The advent and accessibility of new technology, such as camera phones and social media, are completely changing the nature of bullying in modern society. Cyber-bullying is the new frontier, in addition to social, verbal, and physical abuse. It is no longer a story of a typical schoolyard bully preying on the weak, but an account of “social combat”. As described by a 2011 study of the University of California, bullying is strategic, occurs under the radar, and is inherently tied to the social hierarchy within schools.
It is reported that Canadian high schools experience 282,000 incidents of bullying per month, while suicide is now the second leading cause of death among Canadian youth. The Senate committee intends to examine ways in which to protect and assist children so that they are not left to handle victimization alone. The committee will make recommendations to the Government to address bullying and cyber-bullying once it has examined the issue and heard from witnesses.
The committee will hear witnesses and gather evidence starting on December 12, 2011, and report its findings by October 31, 2012.
To find out more about the work of the committee and to view previously tabled reports, please visit: http://senate-senat.ca/ridr-e.asp.
The Senate of Canada is on Twitter: @SenateCA, follow the committee using the hashtag #RIDR.
For further information:
Jean-Pierre Morin
Media Relations
613-996-7136 or 1-800-267-7362
morinj@sen.parl.gc.ca
Daniel Charbonneau
Committee Clerk
613-993-4874 or 1-800-267-7362
charbd@sen.parl.gc.ca