STAND (Street Trade Alternatives & New Directions)

Developing a Meaningful Response to Toronto’s Sex Trade

Evergreen has been at the centre of Toronto’s services for sexually exploited youth for many years. This issue has come to the forefront as one of the most prevalent and pressing issues we face on a daily basis. STAND builds on our successful work with young people transitioning their lives by using current resources in a more focused and intentional way.

Our 5-fold approach to Toronto’s Sex Trade includes:

1. A Case Management” Program for young men who want to stop pimping
2. A Case Management Program for those who are desiring to leave the sex trade
3. A specialized Drop-in and Outreach program
4. A self-defence program specifically for sex workers
5. A prevention and awareness project targeting high-risk young people

Case Management Pimp Exit Program

Purpose: One can only work with sex workers for so long before an obvious dilemma arises; how can you make any progress when there are so many pimps working against you?

After several months of research and focus groups in August 2008, Evergreen developed a response to this question with “The Program”, based on a case management model. It works to support young men who demonstrate sexually exploitive behaviours in a holistic way. “The Program” is a prevention strategy to help young people from being forced into prostitution in the first place, but also recognizes that most young men involved in pimping come from a history of abuse and exploitation themselves and would prefer not to be involved in pimping.

Eligibility:

Young men with a history of sexually exploiting others who demonstrate a motivation to stop this behaviour

Program Structure:

• 16 week program, operating on a one-to-one basis (no group programming)
  • 5 hr/wk commitment which includes a:

• 1 hr/wk Session with a worker: a weekly plan will be established that will lead to independent work being done in the following areas:
• 2hr/wk Opportunity Building
• 1hr/wk Personal Growth
• 1hr/wk Community Connections

• For every four weeks that the participant successfully works towards their goals, they will receive incentives that directly affect their capacity to make ends meet without pimping.  Incentives include metro passes, phone card, etc.

Case Management Prostitution Exit Program

Purpose: Responding to the overwhelming need to support one of our city’s most marginalized and victimized populations, this program provides intensive case management for young people who want to exit the sex trade.

Eligibility:

• The program works with young women and prioritizes community members who openly identify as sex workers.
• If there is enough room, the program will also work with young women who have been identified as being sexually exploited although they may not be comfortable being identified as a sex worker.

Program Structure:

• 16 week program, operating on a one-to-one basis (no group programming)
  • 5 hr/wk commitment which includes a:

• 1 hr/wk Session with a worker: a weekly plan will be established that will lead to independent work being done in the following areas:
• 2hr/wk Opportunity Building
• 1hr/wk Personal Growth
• 1hr/wk Community Connections

• The 16-week program will cover a different topic each week
• The program will offer monthly incentives to directly effect the participants’ capacity to exit the sex trade

Outreach for those involved in the Sex Trade

Purpose: To support those involved in the sex trade in their survival of the night; meeting their immediate needs, providing a listening ear, building relationships, being accessible and available for life changing moments for those ready to make a change.

Program Structure:

• Crisis outreach, referrals and response to immediate safety needs and concerns
• Outreach to those involved in the sex trade on Thursday nights 11pm-3am.
• We would also provide outreach in pairs to the prostitution strolls covering the area from Yonge to River and Bloor to Queen, and expanding into other neighbourhoods when staffing allows.
  • Outreach would provide a chance for first contact as we begin to develop relationships, and to meet immediate needs through our outreach bags.

Self-Defence Program for Sexually Exploited Women

Purpose: Statistics show us that 82% of women working in prostitution experience physical violence and 71% experience rape. This program responds to these statistics in a practical way by providing self-defence training for women who have been or are at risk of being sexually exploited.  To provide a safe place for women to grow in confidence, build positive relationships, get physical exercise and have fun.

Eligibility: Females or those who identify as female who are involved in the sex trade, have disclosed that they are the survivors of abuse or assault, or are at high-risk of sexual assault or exploitation.

Program Structure: By partnering with our friends at Toronto BJJ  we are able to provide a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu self-defence class for this target group.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that focuses on ground grappling, technique, balance and leverage. In using these skills well a smaller, weaker individual can defend and survive against a larger, physical stronger opponent. The combination of these factors makes Brazilian Jiu Jitsu the best martial art for self-defence for women in a sexual assault situation.

Takes place Wednesday afternoon’s from 4-5pm at Toronto BJJ.  Located at 813 Bloor Street West or Visit their website!

Prevention and Awareness Project

Purpose: To help prevent minors (under 18) from being recruited into the sex trade by targeting high-risk populations with education and awareness training

Project Structure:

Evergreen has been invited to partner with The Toronto Police SVS to:

1. Develop and help lead a seminars for management from group homes, shelters and various other agencies to educate on the issue of juvenile prostitution in the city with a special focus on how young people are targeted and then groomed by pimps
2. Develop and lead sessions for youth directly within group homes and shelters that are at high-risk for involvement in the sex trade

Contact Us!

If you have any questions or concerns please get in touch with Deb Stanbury through this form. For urgent matters please call 416-929-9614.