Sexual Exploitation Resources

• Health resources
• Legal resources
• Mental health resources
• Counselling resources
• Community action teams
• Provincial SEY services
• Online toolkits
• Other resources

Health Resources

HealthLinkBC Nursing Services 811

A free 24-hour confidential health information line staffed by specially trained registered nurses who can answer non-emergency health questions and services. Contact them by dialing 8-1-1.

Learn more about HealthLink BC’s services.

Abbotsford Youth Health Centre (AYHC)

Professional medical practitioners provide health services in a youth-friendly, safe, confidential, and non-judgmental environment for individuals aged 12 – 24. Drop-in clinic is free for youth aged 12-24 – no appointment necessary.

Learn more about AYHC contact information, location and hours of operation.

Abbotsford Options for Sexual Health Clinic (OPT)

OPT clinics are accessible for people in B.C. when they need to talk about sexuality or sexual health or access sexual and reproductive health care. They are committed to providing you with confidential, nonjudgmental, youth-friendly, pro-choice, and sex-positive services.

Learn more about Abbotsford OPT Clinic’s location and hours of operation.

Abbotsford Public Health Unit

Abbotsford Public Health unit offers a variety of services such as breastfeeding support, child abuse and neglect support, dental care, drug checking, needle distribution, pregnancy and early child health, teen prenatal classes and more.

Learn more about services offered by the Abbotsford Public Health Unit.

Legal Resources

If you or someone is in immediate danger or if a police response is required call 9-1-1. Where an immediate response or dispatch of the police IS NOT required, call your local non-emergency lines.

Abbotsford Victim Services

The purpose of Victim Services is to lessen the trauma associated with being the victim of crime or trauma, and to try to prevent re-victimization. Empowerment of the individual through emotional support, information, practical assistance and appropriate referrals is the cornerstone of the program’s effectiveness.

Learn more about Abbotsford Victim Services’ contact information and hours of operation.

Legal Aid Services

Legal Aid BC provides a range of legal services for all British Columbians such as legal advice, legal representation, and more.

Learn more about Legal Aid BC services.

Mental Health Resources

Anxiety Canada

Anxiety Canada is a leader in developing free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety. They developed the award-winning free MindShift™ CBT app for iOS and Android devices, which helps Canadians manage anxiety using scientifically proven strategies.They also serve Canadians by developing services and programs they can trust, such as their online directory and online courses.

Bridging the Gap, Employment Readiness for Women – Agora Employment Essentials Inc.

Agora Employment Essentials Inc. provides a safe, caring environment for women who are survivors of abuse/violence, offering holistic support on the way to entering or re-entering the workforce. Their staff will walk alongside as you develop tools to gain independence, heal from old wounds and grow healthy self-confidence.

British Columbia Schizophrenia Society (BCSS)

BCSS sponsors a monthly parent networking and support group for those whose children and youth struggle with mental health issues.

Canadian Mental Health Association

As a nation-wide, voluntary organization, the Canadian Mental Health Association promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness. The CMHA accomplishes this mission through advocacy, education, research and service.

Child and Youth Committee

The Abbotsford Child and Youth Committee provides a list of resources for youth struggling with a spectrum of mental health issues. 

Child and Youth Mental Health – Maples Adolescent Treatment Centre

The Maples Adolescent Treatment Centre is one part of the provincial Child and Youth Mental Health service network that provides an array of direct residential and community services for youth and their families.Through its programs and services it supports communities in caring for and treating troubled 12 to 17 year-old youth with significant psychiatric and behavioural difficulties.

Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) Program

The EPI program provides single entry intake clinical services and education for youth and young adults with the intent of promoting wellness, reducing socially-isolating behaviour and restoring previous levels of functioning. Services include early detection, rapid psychosocial and psychiatric assessment, family intervention (family therapy and assessment) and group intervention (client groups, family education groups, family support groups), case management, medication management, education, stress management, relapse prevention and monitoring of youth at risk.

Foundry Abbotsford

Foundry Abbotsford provide a single door, offering access to someone to talk to, care providers for any health need, and friendly experts to help navigate health and social services, resources, and programs. All centres deliver free, respectful, non-judgmental, and strength-based services in a youth-friendly space.

Concurrent Disorders Program for Youth

The concurrent disorders program provides services, information and support to youth who are experiencing a combination of emotional and/or psychiatric problems in addition to problematic substance use.

Fraser Health – Mental Health Centre

Mental health centres provide many services including adult community support, adult short-term assessment and treatment, community residential programs, geriatric programs, crisis intervention, day and outpatient programs, addictions counselling, concurrent disorders services, group therapy, peer support and after-hours mental health support. They may also provide outreach programs to support and encourage youth living with a mental illness to reintegrate into available programs in the community.

Here to Help

Here to Help helps individuals find quality information, learn new skills, and connect with key resources in BC to manage mental health and substance use problems or support a loved one.

Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre

Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868)

Kids Help Phone offers toll-free, 24-hour, bilingual and anonymous phone counselling, referral and Internet service for children and youth. Every day, professional counsellors provide immediate, caring support to young people in urban and rural communities across the country.

KUU-US Crisis Line (1-800-588-8717)

The KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides a First Nations and Indigenous specific crisis line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll-free from anywhere in British Columbia.

Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia

The Mood Disorders Association of BC (MDABC) provides support, education and hope of recovery for those living with a mood disorder or other mental illness. Join a support group, learn more about mental illness and take positive steps towards recovery.

No-Charge Psychiatric Medication Plan (Plan G)

The No-Charge Psychiatric Medication Plan (Plan G) is available to individuals of any age who are registered with a mental health services centre and who demonstrate clinical and financial need. The plan provides coverage of certain psychiatric medications.

Fraser Valley Child Development Centre (FVCDC)

The FVCDC provides assessment and diagnosis for children and youth who are experiencing complex developmental and behavioural conditions, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Suicide Prevention Service

The Canada Suicide Prevention Service is available 24/7 for voice (1-833-456-4566) and 4pm to 12am ET for text (Dial: 45645). The Canada Suicide Prevention Service offers support to individuals thinking about suicide or worried about a friend or loved one.

FamilySmart

FamilySmart has 3 main programs that are focused on enhancing the experience and quality of services and supports for children, youth, and their families.

Youthspace.ca

Youthspace.ca is an online crisis & emotional support chat that can listen without judgement, and keep chats confidential & anonymous.

Counselling Resources

Archway Specialized Victim Assistance

Specialized Victim Assistance provides emotional support, justice related information, referrals and practical assistance to victims and their families.

Archway Stop the Violence

Stopping the Violence Program (STV) provides individual and/or group counselling for women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, and/or violence/abuse in relationships.

Archway Sexual Abuse Intervention 

Sexual Abuse Intervention Program (SAIP) provides a range of appropriate, timely and accessible assessment, treatment and/or support services to children and youth who have been sexually abused, and to children under the age of 12 with sexual behaviour problems.

BC Association of Clinical Counsellors – Find A Counsellor

Search for and connect with a Registered Clinical Counsellor in your community.

Fraser Health Crisis Line

The Fraser Health Crisis Line provides immediate, free, and confidential emotional support, crisis intervention and community resource information to people of all ages, 24 hours a day – everyday.

Phone: 604-951-8855
Toll free: 1-877-820-7444

Youthspace.ca

Youthspace.ca is an online crisis & emotional support chat that can listen without judgement, and keep chats confidential & anonymous.

Community Action Teams

Community action teams (CAT) are groups of service providers and community partners who are working to develop local strategies to address prostitution and sexual exploitation. While working towards the goal of eliminating the exploitation of children and youth through prostitution, CATs also focus on harm reduction and improving the working and living conditions for adult prostitutes. Activities include prevention and education, service coordination and legal/enforcement approaches.

CATs are comprised of service providers such as police, social workers, and health professionals; representatives from municipal and provincial governments; educators and school administrators; parents; youth; and non-profit agencies. Please google your city’s own Community Action Team if you do not live in Abbotsford.

Abbotsford Community Action Team

Contact: Mandy Aujla
Phone: 604 556-4619
Email: Mandy.Aujla@archway.ca

Provincial Stop Exploiting Youth (SEY) services

Abbotsford

Archway Community Services – Youth Resource Centre

SEY – The Youth Resource Centre provides Intensive outreach services for youth who are sexually exploited or at high risk of sexual exploitation.

Chilliwack

Chilliwack Community Services – Youth Services

Reconnect/SEY – Outreach services to youth ages 12-18 who are homeless, street involved or at risk of becoming so; including possible sex trade involvement.

Langley

Encompass Support Services Society

Youth Street Outreach identifies and connects with youth who are at risk of homelessness, are already homeless, at risk of sexual exploitation or are being exploited.

Surrey/Delta/Cloverdale

Pacific Community Resources – SEY Program

The SEY (Stop Exploiting Youth) Program supports youth to exit a situation or lifestyle in which they are being sexually exploited.

Surrey

Lookout Housing and Health Solutions – Surrey Street Youth Services

Surrey Street Youth Services (SYSS) caters to the needs of street entrenched youth between the ages of 15-21 in Surrey. SSYS works to reduce youth poverty and youth homelessness by connecting individuals to services.

Vancouver Coastal Region/Tri-Cities

Plea Community Services

Onyx provides an immediate response to youth and work with them to access the support and resources they need – including health services, a safe place to live, detox or treatment for substance use, and one-to-one support.

Children of the Street Society

Children of the Street Society is a Provincial Society and Federal Charity dedicated to preventing the sexual exploitation of children and youth in British Columbia through education strategies, public awareness initiatives, and family support since 1995.

PACE

PACE is a sex worker led and driven organization offering low-barrier programming, support and advocacy for sex workers in Vancouver.

Burnaby

Outlook Community Youth Services

Outreach to Sexually Exploited Youth – Supporting high-risk youth who are at risk of exploitation or are being exploited. They provide individualized care planning that may include finding safe and secure housing, getting into detox or counselling services.

New Westminster

Purpose Society

Integrated Youth Services – Youth and Family Development Programs aim to enhance personal well-being, strengthen family functioning and increase personal responsibility, confidence and healthy decision-making. Emphasis on a client-centered approach within a continuum of care model, which focuses on the health, resiliency and resourcefulness of individuals.

Vancouver Island

Peers Victoria Resource Society

Peers Victoria Resource Society supports healing, education, safety, liaison with the police, crisis response, trauma recovery, addictions resources, housing assistance, and belonging for all sex workers in our community.

Kelowna

NOW Canada Society

NOW Canada inspires change by providing a client-centered continuum of care for women, youth and their children who are vulnerable, exploited or homeless.

Prince George

New Hope Society

New Hope Society strives to bridge the gap in services for sex workers through creating a place of safety and security for women to access support services important to their needs.

Online Toolkits

Community Initiative for Health and Safety Sex Work Toolkit

The Community Initiative for Health and Safety (CIHS) is an inclusive “toolkit project” that consulted with community regarding ideas, essential resources and strategies needed to best equip themselves when working through the negative impacts of street level sex work.

Children of the Street Parent Toolkit

Children of the Street Parent Toolkit includes many aspects of the exploitation experience.

Connect Safely

Connect Safely has some fantastic tips and guidelines for parent’s keeping their child safe online. In particular, it contains “A Parent’s Guide to Facebook,” A Parent’s Guide to Snapchat, “A Parent’s Guide to Cybersecurity,” and “A Parent’s Guide to Instagram.”

Platform Specific Guides for Parents

Here are some fantastic tips and guidelines for parent’s keeping their child safe online. In particular:

• A Parent’s Guide to Facebook Messenger
• A Parent’s Guide to Snapchat
• A Parent’s Guide to Cybersecurity
• A Parent’s Guide to TikTok
• A Parent’s Guide to Instagram

If your child or your child’s friend has been involved in a self/peer exploitation incident (otherwise known as “sexting”), this site is extremely helpful. This site provides you with guidance on steps you and your child or child’s friend can take to get through it.