Pink Shirt Day has come and gone.The annual focus on bullying, its causes and its destructive effects will fade somewhat until this time next year. This is an issue, though, that should not be relegated to the back burner of the relentlessly fickle news cycle.That’s because, in spite of endless talk, the public education system seems powerless to eliminate the practice of some students physically and/or emotionally preying on others.In a national Angus Reid poll, secondary school was identified as the worst environment for bullying. Elementary school was not far behind.While it’s fair for parents and students to expect a safe, nurturing learning environment, it’s not fair to vilify public educators.Bullying does not begin when children enter school, nor does it stop when they leave. Likewise, bullying happens outside school hours — in person and online.Given all of the examples, we might have to collectively look into a mirror and admit to ourselves that exerting control over others — even making others feel badly in a pathetic attempt to make ourselves feel better — is an ingrained human trait, albeit one we’re trying to overcome.On that note, bullying should be a crime, say the vast majority of British Columbians who responded to the poll, whose results were released on Pink Shirt Day.Fifty-five per cent of B.C. respondents said bullying should be a crime even without physical violence. Two-thirds of respondents nationally feel that way.Merely criminalizing a behaviour, though, would stress the resources of already-stretched law enforcement and legal systems.We need to somehow be better people, and to pass on better values to our children.Few of us have not been bullied. Some have been bullies. Some have been victims and bullies.Physical bruises heal, but the emotional effects can linger below the surface for a long time.Kudos to all who combat bullying in any of its forms.editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com

Comox Valley Record