Soroptomist International of Osoyoos and School District 53 have partnered to bring a series of prevention and education workshops to Osoyoos, Oliver, Okanagan Falls and Keremeos about preventing the sexual exploitation of children and youth. Children of the Street Society, a provincial not-for-profit organization based in the Lower Mainland will be providing workshops aimed at educating young people about sexual exploitation, online safety and healthy relationships.
On May 7th Children of the Street Society’s Youth Workshop Facilitators will deliver their widely held TCO2 workshop, which stands for Taking Care of Ourselves, Taking Care of Others for students at Oliver Elementary, Okanagan Falls Elementary and Tuc El Nuit Elementary. Workshops will also be delivered the following day (May 8) at Osoyoos Elementary and Similkameen Elementary.
The dynamic workshops which are catered to grades 6/7 students, utilize live dramatic role plays, games, multimedia, and interactive discussion to address topics such as human trafficking and sexual exploitation, online luring, online safety, healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, LG (little girl) parties, and ways to reach out for help. Executive Director of Children of the Street Diane Sowden states, “We continue to see an increased demand for our workshops, particularly for younger age groups,” noting the Society receives requests for workshops for children as young as 10 years old.
“With the advancement and accessibility of technology, all young people are at risk of sexual exploitation,” states Sowden. “We continue to see an increase in requests from schools and community groups who are dealing with peer-to-peer exploitation such as ‘sexting’ or young people entering into unhealthy relationships with someone they’ve met online,” she indicated. The National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children reported that one in five youth have received a sexual solicitation online, while 75% of them did not tell a parent. The Osoyoos Soroptimists recognize the need for this timely and worthwhile project, and are proud to present it the School District, as a community service.
Children of the Street Society is a provincial non-profit organization dedicated to preventing the sexual exploitation of children and youth in British Columbia through education strategies, public awareness initiatives, and family support since 1995. Their mission is to take a proactive approach through public awareness, education and early intervention strategies to prevent the sexual exploitation of children and youth, while offering support to families. Their vision is a world where children and youth are safe and free from all forms of sexual exploitation. For more information visit www.childrenofthestreet.com , www.facebook.com/ChildrenofthestreetSociety and www.twitter.com/ChildrenoftheSt .
The Osoyoos Soroptimists invite the public’s participation in the TCO² Programs. Your donation will help fund the project.
Committee Chairperson, Soroptimist Lidia Ferreira says, “We will welcome and appreciate your personal or corporate donation to help bring this outstanding program to our Elementary Schools. “
Contact the Co-chairs of the Soroptimist Committee: Lidia Ferreira at 250.498.7097 or Email: lidiasells@gmail.com or Tanya Tressel at 250.495.4955 . Email: mervtanya@telus.net