Chris Townsend (left) and Al Suleman

Chris Townsend and Al Suleman from Sutton Group – West Coast Realty in Coquitlam, B.C. were among many real estate people who joined the recent anti-bullying movement. Supporters of all ages wore pink for Pink Shirt – Anti-Bullying Day. Townshend got involved after hearing discussions on CKNW radio about bullying in schools, workplaces, homes and on the Internet.  As a father of girls ages 13 and 15, he wanted to set a good example.  He also hopes that this issue will not affect their lives as it has his.

“I have been bullied, as has everyone in varying degrees, whether it is physical or verbal, acute or chronic,” he says. “It is still bullying and it makes people sad and scared. Pink Shirt – Anti-Bullying Day raises awareness that bullying occurs regularly and should not be tolerated.  All it takes is a little involvement to initiate prevention.”

The ‘pink movement’ got its start in Nova Scotia in 2007.  When two Grade 12 students heard that a younger male student was threatened for wearing a pink shirt, they purchased 50 pink tops at a discount store, then sent a message to their schoolmates.  The next day, they handed out the tops and the school made its first protest against bullying.