BullyingCanada Knows That Our Youths Are Worth Fighting For
BullyingCanada is only national anti-bullying charity solely dedicated to creating a brighter future for bullied youth. What began as a youth-created website to bring together bullied kids and provide information on bullying and how to stop it is now a full 24/7 support service. On any day of the year, at any time, youth, parents, coaches and teachers contact us by phone, texting, online chat and email for help on how to make their bullying stop. Our Support Team has more than 350 highly-trained volunteers.
Our unique difference: BullyingCanada stands by those who reach out for help until we can bring an end to their bullying. For each incidence of bullying brought to our attention, we speak with bullied youth and their parents; bullies and their parents; teachers, coaches, guidance counselors and principals; school boards; local police if a child’s life is threatened; and local social services to get youth the counselling they need to heal. This process often takes between two weeks to more than a year.
We also offer school presentations about bullying and scholarships to students active in anti-bullying efforts. On our website are book reviews about bullying, and we publish stories and poems of bullying survivors.
BullyingCanada was launched December 17th, 2006 by 17-year-old Rob Benn-Frenette, O.N.B. and 14-year-old Katie Thompson (Neu) when the website they created went live. Both Rob and Katie were victims of extreme bullying during elementary and high school years. They sought help but could not find a charity or social service to intervene and stop them from being relentlessly tormented. So they created BullyingCanada to help kids in pain – like them.
BullyingCanada has been featured in newspapers, magazines, radio, and television across Canada and the world in multiple languages – such as Readers Digest, Today’s Parent and many more. Rob and Katie have both been publicly recognized many times for their tireless efforts.
Our Story
Building the resources they needed as children, our founders have grown BullyingCanada into a national treasure.
Meet Our Founders
Bringing a lifetime of experience and expertise to the service of bullied youths and their families across the country.
To help other bullied kids like them, she and Rob launched BullyingCanada in the form of a website. She had no prior experience taking stands against bullying, but continued to be abused even after the BullyingCanada website launched.
She and Rob did (and still do) share the role of Co-Executive Director of BullyingCanada. While building a robust support network, Katie finished and received her Ontario Secondary School Certificate through online learning. She has since graduated from St. Lawrence College with her Criminal Psychology and Behaviour Certificate with Distinction. She is also ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) certified, as are Rob and all of BullyingCanada’s Support Team volunteers.
Katie’s current role in BullyingCanada is part-time, responding to emails and live chat requests from bullied kids. As one of several presenters, Katie does a few BullyingCanada school presentations each year. She also reviews books related to bullying and violence.
Katie was named Woman of the Year from the North Perth Chamber of Commerce, the area of her home town.
Born with cerebral palsy, his unusual walk made him the target of relentless torment throughout his school years. He experienced psychological and physical abuse – including being kicked, tripped, shoved, spit on, called names, being burned with a cigarette lighter and thrown in front of a moving bus. The relentless bullying left him with unable to concentrate on his school work, and with nightmares, night sweats and panic attacks. He tried to end his life twice. He reached out for help, but found no solace in anonymous, one-time telephone counselling.
Instead of being crushed, he summoned internal strength. Wanting no other child to go through what he experienced, he partnered with then 14-year-old Katie Neu, who was also a victim of bullying.
Together, they launched a website that gave birth to a national youth-created support service that would take support to lengths that made Canadian history. At age 22, Rob was awarded the honour of Member in the Order of New Brunswick.
Now 30, Rob has built a strong national organization, with Katie’s support. He alternately answers calls for help, recruits and trains volunteers, delivers school presentations, and manages all daily administrative and fundraising duties.
Are You Willing to Help?
We’d love to hear from you!
Please feel free to send us a message—we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Postal Mail
Head Office
471 Smythe Street, P.O. Box 27009
Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 9M1
British Columbia
1285 West Broadway, Suite 600
Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3X8
Please Note:
BullyingCanada does not accept walk-in visitors. These addresses are for postal mail only, if you need to send something by courier please reach out via email first.