WE-BE Chief Editors Megan Praat and Olivia Jensen interview
Aime Hutton, Canada’s Ambassador for the
Freedom & Empowerment
Teen Campaign
Bullying and date violence are two topics that need to be addressed and talked about so
young people can learn how to recognize the warning signs and stop it from happening to
them. We had the honor and opportunity to interview author/activist-- Aime Hutton, who is the
Canadian Ambassador for the Freedom and Empowerment Teen Campaign. Aime herself, was
a victim of both bullying and date violence. Going through these experiences, has given her
the insight to co-collaboratively write, with other amazing authors, what is now a bestselling
book “1000 tips for teens”, which can be found on Amazon. It’s clear listening to Aime talk
about her past, that she has turned the negative aspects of what happened to her into the
positives; it is equally clear she loves what she does to help others understand more about
these two life threatening subjects.
Here are some of the questions and answers we would like to share from our
interview with Aime:
Q— WE-BE: What would you want to say to the readers of this magazine?
A— Aime: If I could wrap up all I want to say, it would be to respect and be kind to each other; believe in yourself; to just keep putting one foot in front of the other; to let others help
you; know that you are not alone, that you are beautiful, creative and can do anything you
choose; I encourage you to reach out to a trusted adult, to keep talking until someone listens
and helps; continue to do things that make you happy, be it sports, hobbies, community
groups/volunteering. Remember you are the only you in the world, so be the best you can be!
Q— WE-BE: Would you be willing to share your story with us?
A— Aime: I was severely teased and bullied for six years from grades 3 – 8. I was namecalled everything one could imagine. One day, in grade seven, I was flung around by my bra
strap in the girls’ change room by a grade eight girl. Then I went flying into the change room
lockers when she let go. I was teased and made fun of because my likes were different than
others’. I was in Girl Guides/Pathfinders and I also danced ballet. In university, I was stalked
for the second, third and fourth year of my schooling, by a date stalker.
Q—WE-BE: Are there statistics you know of, associated with bullying and date violence?