Our Gender-Based Violence program supports survivors of domestic human-trafficking, sex workers who need help exiting safely, and people who are victims of being exploited sexually on the internet. We provide trauma therapy, community supports and connect clients to important services such as housing, employment and school programs and court support.

The program is grounded in treating trauma, relational therapy and addressing human rights. As well, our program provides education on internet exploitation and cyber sexual violence, helping young people to navigate the internet safely.  We believe in empowering survivors to have self-worth and to build healthy support systems.

The Gender-Based Violence Program offers three types of services:

1. Trauma Therapy
   Our therapists provide trauma therapy for clients. Trauma therapy is a form of counselling that counselors use to help people overcome psychological trauma. A traumatic event is one you perceive a threat to your life, bodily or mental health. Trauma includes your reaction to what happened to you and so trauma happens when you feel you are unable to cope. We use relational therapy, in which we focus on reducing and healing from trauma symptoms, building healthy relationships, reducing shame and blame, and providing information on domestic human-trafficking.
2. Community Outreach Worker
   Our Community Outreach Worker provides direct services to clients in their community and provide education around various topics related to human-trafficking. In many situations of sexual exploitation, a trafficker or also known as a pimp is meeting all the basic needs of the young person. Our Community Outreach Worker helps survivors to find alternative ways to meet your basic needs such as finding safe and affordable housing, accessing financial assistance, finding medical care and receiving ongoing trauma therapy.
3. Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Counselling Program
   The Gender-Based Violence Program offers Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Counselling Program. This program offers short-term (8-12) immediate counselling sessions for children and youth who are victims of internet sexual exploitation and to their immediate family members.
   *ICE is available by referral only via the Ontario Provincial Police and BOOST. Learn more about ICE.