Due to the pandemic, social distancing measures have resulted in significantly less access to healthy supports for youth that are known to prevent trafficking including access to community centers, recreational activities and safe adults outside of the home. Traffickers continue to lure and groom children on social media platforms, and online sexual exploitation is as prevalent as ever. Since last year, we continue to receive an unprecedented number of referrals of underaged people being trafficked. In partnership, Victim Services of Durham Region and Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services will be hosting an 8-week youth empowerment group for individuals between the ages of 13-19 with the aim of reducing the number of vulnerable youth being trafficked. During the 8 weeks, youth will learn about sex trafficking recruitment practices, red flags and warning signs, how to protect themselves through an understanding of consent and healthy relationships, and how to access prevention and intervention support resources.
Sessions Breakdown:
Week 1 - June 9th: Welcome and Introductions Week 2 - June 16th: Human Trafficking Awareness Week 3 - June 23rd: Stages of Exploitation Week 4 - June 30th: Reflecting On Our Vulnerabilities Week 5 - July 7th: Red Flags and Safety Planning Week 6 - July 14th: Consent and Healthy Relationships Week 7 - July 21st: Resilience and Empowerment Week 8 - July 28th: Resources and Supports The group will be held every Thursday evening starting on Thursday June 9th from 4:00pm-6:00pm on Zoom (Zoom link provided after registration). In recognizing the intersections between child protection involvement, the impacts of colonization, and risk for human trafficking, we are eager to engage Indigenous youth in care or aging out of care in this prevention programming.
Should you know of a young person who would benefit from this program, please feel free to share this information and reach out.
For registration, please email jcusato@drps.ca or jbloye@binnoojiiyag.ca. Potential youth will be asked a few recruitment questions and will be sent over the Zoom details as well as additional information needed for successful participation in the group.