Continuing its commitment to raise awareness surrounding one of the most important issues affecting youth today, Family Channel is pleased to announce its annual Bullying Awareness Week campaign will be returning for its 15^th year this November. From Monday, November 20 – Friday, November 24, bullying-related content will populate the network with themed episodes and movies, and special messages from Family Channel stars airing across multiple platforms. Beginning today, kids and teachers can visit Family.ca to download resources and activities, and enter for the chance to win a Stand UP! Rally at their school, hosted by The Next Step stars Briar Nolet and Myles Erlick.

An integral part of the Bullying Awareness Week campaign, Family Channel is taking the message of bullying prevention on the road, bringing Stand UP! rallies to selected schools across Canada. Hosted by The Next Step’s Briar Nolet (Richelle) and Myles Erlick (Noah), each rally will feature a screening of bullying-themed content from Backstage, an interactive discussion led by a PREVNet representative and a special dance performance. In honour of its 15^th anniversary, Family will also be giving away 10 secondary prizes for the classroom. Kids can enter to win by visiting Family.ca and explaining how their school stands up to bullying. The contest is currently open and runs until 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 1.

This year’s Bullying Awareness Week runs from Monday, November 20 to Friday, November 24. Family Channel has teamed up with TELUS WISE (Wise Internet and Smartphone Education) for the second year in a row, this time to create short-form content that addresses digital safety with cast members from the fan-favourite series, The Next Step. Each short features the stars providing tips and discussing relevant topics, such as how to stand up to cyberbullying, using discretion when posting pictures to social media sites and exercising precaution when spending time online. The shorts will air on Family leading up to and throughout Bullying Awareness Week, airing alongside other bullying prevention-themed programming and footage from the rallies.

Those interested in learning more about Family Channel’s 15^th annual Bullying Awareness Week campaign can visit Family.ca/StandUp. In addition to contest details, the webpage offers bullying-themed episodes from Family’s top series, footage from last year’s Stand UP! Rally Tour, and downloadable resources including tip sheets and activities for students, parents and teachers, prepared by PREVNet in both French and English.

Family Channel co-founded Bullying Awareness Week in 2003 and developed the Stand UP! campaign in association with PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network), a national network of Canadian researchers, community organizations and governments committed to ending bullying and promoting positive relationships.