Communities Taking Action

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Communities Taking Action

Many communities across BC have been working at raising awareness of the presence of sexual exploitation in their community, developing programs for youth and community members, and addressing the many issues related to sexual exploitation. There is no easy solution to solving the problem of sexual exploitation, as youth face different situations in rural and urban communities, as well as within Aboriginal communities, immigrant and refugee communities and various other cultural contexts. There are many models that communities are using to take action against sexual exploitation.

One model has been to form Community Action Teams (CATs) to bring people together to address sexual exploitation in their community. CATs have included diverse representation from RCMP, City Councilors, reporters, front-line youth workers, concerned parents and other members of the community. Their strength has largely stemmed from the commitment of the individuals involved and their ability to work together toward similar goals over the long-term. For more information on Community Action Teams in your area, visit the website for the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

Dana Greening
Coordinator, School and Youth Programs,
Victim Services and Community Programs Division,
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
Email: Dana.Greening@gov.bc.ca
Phone: (604) 660-1879

Paul L. Mulholland
Youth Services Consultant
Child Welfare Policy Team
Integrated Policy and Legislation Team
Ministry of Children and Family Development
Email: Paul.L.Mulholland@gov.bc.ca
Phone: (250) 387-0995

Whether you are involved in a community action coalition already or are interested in starting one, the following resources will provide you with helpful information for successfully building a community action plan and sustaining community interest in the issue.

Sample Community Action Groups
Resources
Starting an Action Network in your Community	This worksheet provides step-by-step information on how you can start an action network in your community. From deciding who to invite to your first meeting to how to set priorities and divide up the tasks of creating a project, this worksheet is designed to guide you along the way	Download worksheet here
Creating a community plan for action	Whether you are part of an established group or are just starting one, it is important to have a community plan for action and to set realistic goals for your group. This worksheet will guide you through this process.	Download worksheet here
Tips for Writing a Press Release	Press releases are useful to gain the awareness of the press and the public on the activities of your group or events you are hosting. The media tends to look for first-hand stories of exploitation, which may further traumatize the individuals involved. This worksheet provides tips for how to get the media to cover your community event or story without the sensational spin.	Download worksheet here
Other Sample Press Releases	For excellent sample press releases on human rights issues, visit Unicef’s Press Centre. Search their site for specific press releases on sexual exploitation.
	IMPACS, the Institute for Media, Policy and Civil Society, is a Canadian charitable organization committed to the protection and expansion of democracy and to strengthening civil society. Their website offers detailed information about media relations resources for nonprofit organizations.
Principles of practice	Through interviews with youth across BC, this checklist of principles was developed to provide a framework for designing and implementing a project on sexual exploitation.	Download worksheet here
Potential Challenges facing Community Action Groups	This is a list of challenges that are important to keep in mind when setting goals and strategizing the longevity of your group.	Download worksheet here
BC SEY e-list (through SOLOS)	This e-list group is for anyone in BC to network and share resources regarding the online or offline sexual exploitation of children and youth.	This is a Yahoo group. Visit here for more information.
Online guide to Good Practices in Combating Commercial Sexual Exploitation	ECPAT International (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes) has compiled this list of resources on good practices that you can incorporate in your work around sexual exploitation.
Vancouver Community Action Team (VCAT)	The Vancouver Community Action Team includes an active group of representatives from organizations in the Vancouver area. They meet on a regular basis and are open to new members.	For more information contact Jennifer Campbell jcampbell@plea.bc.ca
Capital Region Action Team, Victoria	CRAT includes members from three levels of government, regional health authority, school districts, police forces, youth-serving agencies, parents, former sexually exploited youth and other interested community members. Visit their website for more information on past and ongoing initiatives.
Burnaby-New Westminster Task Force on the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth	The Burnaby-New Westminster Task Force is led by the City of Burnaby and has representation from over twenty Burnaby agencies, including the Burnaby School District, the Burnaby RCMP, Simon Fraser Health Region, several Provincial ministries, and a number of non-profit service providers. Visit their website for more detailed information about ongoing programs.
CASEY, Prince George	The Prince George CASEY (Community Against the Sexual Exploitation of Youth) is a strong community action group that has conducted successful community-based research and educational initiatives in Prince George and surrounding communities.	For more information contact: Jody Stuart 250-564-4422 (ext 238)