The 11th annual Bullying Awareness Week runs from November 18 through November 24, inviting schools, families, and communities across Canada and the United States to learn, discuss, and take action against bullying. The week focuses on practical steps that promote safety, respect, and inclusion in classrooms, hallways, and online spaces.
To promote lasting change in today’s youth, the Toronto Coalition for the Awareness and Prevention of Bullying organized a special event for students on Monday, November 18, bringing together a diverse group of learners, mentors, and community leaders.
Speakers included representatives from the Coalition, along with partners such as the Canadian Red Cross, the Toronto Argonauts Football Club, and Family Channel, as well as executive members of the Toronto Catholic District School Board. They spoke to students in grades 1 through 8 about recognizing bullying, choosing safe responses, and helping peers. The day included workshops by iEngage Bullying Prevention and KidSafe Productions, which equipped attendees with practical strategies for handling incidents, seeking help, and supporting bystanders. Attendees also learned about community groups dedicated to ending bullying, and the session took place at St. Barnabas Catholic School in Scarborough, Ontario.
Family Channel will extend Bullying Awareness Week with the Stand UP! campaign throughout November. Three schools—Sherwood Park Elementary in North Vancouver, Knoxdale Public School in Nepean, Ontario, and Rothesay Elementary in Rothesay, New Brunswick—hosted Stand Up rallies to share how they stand up to bullying. The events were led by Brittany Raymond and Trevor Tordjman from The Next Step, known to viewers as Riley and James. They taught the crowd the dance to Stand Up and Shout, the campaign’s original anthem, and a discussion was led by a representative from PREVNet, the national network of researchers and community groups dedicated to ending bullying. A new version of the Stand Up and Shout music video, featuring footage from the rallies, was slated to premiere on Family Channel during the week.
On Friday, November 22, Family Channel dedicates the evening to bullying prevention with a special marathon beginning at 5 p.m. The lineup opens with a new Jessie episode, followed at 7 p.m. by a new episode of The Next Step, and at 7:30 p.m. the premiere of Penelope. The film stars Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, and Reese Witherspoon, and tells the story of a young heiress who must learn to accept herself to break a family curse.
Family Channel, a co founder of Bullying Awareness Week in 2003 and a key partner in the Stand UP! Campaign with PREVNet, provides bilingual bullying prevention resources for students, parents, and educators. The aim is to support inclusive classrooms and engaged families across both Canada and the United States.
Today the Stand Up and Shout song is available for free download for a limited time, broadening the reach of the message beyond TV screens and into homes, schools, and community groups.
What are you doing to help prevent bullying? Sound off in the comments below.
Image courtesy of Family Channel