Forum to be held at North Delta Recreation Centre next Wednesday, which is Anti-Bullying Day across Canada

Delta North NDP MLA Guy Gentner, Newton-North Delta Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal and Mayor Lois Jackson have come together again to host a forum on bullying.

It's set for Wednesday, Feb. 23, which is Anti-Bullying Day in Canada.

The three politicians first came up with the idea after they met with Maureen Chatham, whose daughter was murdered in 2008.

"After meeting with Mrs. Chatham, we had a discussion about what we as politicians could be doing in our community to help victims of violence. We discussed a forum on domestic violence, but then decided that the symptoms of violence go much further than that," said Gentner.

"Violence permeates our society in a variety of ways; different types of bullying are part of what could transcend into other forms of violence."

The Anti-Bullying Forum -- Take a Stand/Lend a Hand, being held at the North Delta Recreation Centre, is the first of what Jackson hopes will be the beginning of Delta coalescing resources.

"I envision a clearing house of sorts; a place where anyone can go to enquire about resources available in Delta and how to access them. We could also institute a 'hotline' for those who wanted or needed anonymity. There are many wonderful organizations attempting to address this problem," says Jackson.

"What is needed now, however is a coordinated effort to streamline all these resources and systems allowing anyone to simply and immediately access the proper resources. We are all working aggressively to that end."

Delta resident and well-known broadcaster Simi Sara will be the emcee for the forum. Featured speakers include Cindi Seddon, author and co-founder of the Bully's Beware program in Coquitlam; Jesse Miller, a national expert on cyber-bullying; and others who will present their personal stories.

The forum will examine the reasons why children bully their peers, the types of bullying, the effects of bullying and what can be done to stop it.

"This is an important issue for everyone at all levels of government," says Dhaliwal, "Finding a way to come together municipally, provincially and federally to help meet the need and to show unity of this issue will only help our community. We want to hear from people and hope we can find some solutions."

A series of community displays will be featured to provide parents and youth with information and resources on bullying and prevention.

Doors open at 6:30 pm. All are welcome.

For more information, visit Delta's web site at www.corp.delta.bc.ca.

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