The Abbotsford Community Action Team (ACAT) is raising awareness in middle and high schools in Abbotsford and the broader community about sexual exploitation.
Sexual exploitation of youth is defined as any type of sexual activity with a youth in exchange for money, drugs, food, shelter or any other consideration.
The ACAT is made up of service providers and community partners who work together to develop local strategies that address sexual exploitation. The ACAT has representatives from Archway Community Services from programs such as the Abbotsford Addictions Centre, Foundry Abbotsford, and the Youth Resource Centre along with representatives from Cyrus Centre and the Abbotsford Youth Commission.
Multiple schools throughout the Abbotsford School District are participating in school-based preventative education on sexual exploitation.
“With online child sexual exploitation on the rise in BC, it’s more important than ever to educate and raise awareness amongst our youth. We make sure to educate youth on what exploitation is and how we can be exploited by people who we think we can trust. They also learn what to do if they ever find themselves in an unsafe situation online.”
The BC RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation or ICE Unit said in 2022 more than 8,000 cases were referred to them by the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. In 2023, that number doubled to more than 16,000 cases.
The issue has prompted BC to introduce the Intimate Images Protection Act, which aims to better protect people from the harmful effects of having their intimate images shared without their consent and improve access to justice for survivors of sexualized violence.
“With online child sexual exploitation on the rise in BC, it’s more important than ever to educate and raise awareness amongst our youth. We make sure to educate youth on what exploitation is and how we can be exploited by people who we think we can trust. They also learn what to do if they ever find themselves in an unsafe situation online,” said Mandy Aujla, a youth worker in the Stop Exploiting Youth (SEY) program at Archway Community Services.
Posters and online resources are being employed to educate students, caregivers, and teachers. These posters highlight four potential indicators of sexual exploitation: an age gap between the youth and the exploiter, alterations in lifestyle, the exchange of gifts, and increasing isolation.
A QR code facilitates anonymous reporting by students who feel unsafe through the Expect Respect and a Safe Education initiative (ERASE) by the BC Ministry of Education.
Students and caregivers can also visit cybertip.ca to report incidents of online sexual exploitation.
“Online offenders are able to connect with youth on social media platforms that our kids use every day. So even the most involved and loving parents can be unaware of what is happening,” said Bev Olfert, the Executive Director of the Abbotsford Youth Commission. “Sexual exploitation can happen to all genders, socio-economic situations and demographics.”
The Abbotsford campaign coincides with the provincially recognized Stop the Exploitation of Children and Youth Awareness Week taking place from March 4 to 10.
In its 26th year, the week underscores the importance of assisting communities in developing prevention, education, enforcement, and intervention strategies to address the sexual exploitation of children and youth.
Parents, teachers, and friends are urged to be vigilant for signs such as unexplained money, cellphones, or gifts in youth. Additionally, they should be attentive to signs like bruises, withdrawal, moodiness, or protectiveness about relationships.
The Archway Youth Resource Centre has observed a surge in referrals related to online exploitation over the past few years.
“Youth are vulnerable to exploitation every time they are online. This can also lead to being exploited in-person. They need to know that there are trusted adults and resources that they can turn to, and it’s never too late to get help,” said Wanda Phillips, supervisor at the Archway Youth Resource Centre.
“It’s an issue that thrives in the dark that can affect anyone. The more we shed light on it, the better our chances of preventing it from happening,” said Phillips.
Anyone who suspects someone is being sexually exploited is asked to contact the Abbotsford Police.
The Archway Youth Resource Centre can also provide support and resources.
Visit Archway.ca/SEY for more information.
“Youth are vulnerable to exploitation every time they are online. This can also lead to being exploited in-person. They need to know that there are trusted adults and resources that they can turn to, and it’s never too late to get help.”