But New Zealand's shameful record of having the second-highest rate of primary school bullying in the world was highlighted with a pink clothesline stretched across the Octagon in Dunedin yesterday.
The clothesline was strung up by members of the Dunedin youth group Same Difference to draw attention to Pink Shirt Day - one of many events nationwide aimed at showing bullying would no longer be tolerated in schools.
Recent research has indicated more than 30% of New Zealand pupils have been bullied at some time.
Many people assume bullying is part of growing up, but there is compelling evidence to show it can lead to depression and anxiety, feelings of loneliness, loss of self-esteem and difficulties making or maintaining friendships with classmates.
There is also evidence, both in New Zealand and internationally, that bullying has a long-term negative effect on children's behavioural, emotional, social and educational adjustment.
Children who are bullied frequently are more likely than others to suffer a range of mental health and psychological problems.
According to the Government-funded national survey, Youth07, pupils attracted to the same sex or both sexes had a more difficult time at school and were three times as likely to be bullied every week at school compared with pupils attracted to the opposite sex.
Same Difference spokesman Nathan Brown said bullying had featured regularly in the media of late, amid concerns schools were not doing enough to address the recurring issue.
"Most Dunedin schools claim to have rigorous anti-bullying policies.
"However, we believe this is of little effect if such policies are not coupled with proactive initiatives which promote diversity and acceptance of difference."
Pink Shirt Day was about highlighting these issues, he said.
