Several local youth-serving community agencies in the Comox Valley are hosting a workshop on the issue of sexual exploitation.
Sponsored by the Community Drug Strategy Committee, CASEY (Community Against Sexual Exploitation of Youth) Comox Valley, and North Island College’s Human Service Worker Program, It Can Happen to Anyone is a prevention-based workshop designed for parents, service providers, and community audiences.
The workshop will be facilitated by Diane Sowden, founding executive director of Children of the Street Society, whose daughter was drawn into the sex trade and drug addiction at the age of 13. This workshop covers a comprehensive overview of youth sexual exploitation in BC, case studies and trends of youth exploitation, online exploitation, an overview of legal issues surrounding sexual exploitation, and family support.
As well, a panel of local community service providers will speak about what is happening in our own community. Service providers will be on hand with information and pamphlets on local resources. This free workshop will take place Sept. 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Stan Hagen Theatre at North Island College in Courtenay. To pre-register, or for more information, contact Miranda Blomquist at miranda@jhsni.bc.ca or 250-338-7341.