Studies have shown that although traffickers recruit from all areas and backgrounds, marginalized, lower-income young people are often more at risk. Homeless or precariously housed youth are among the most vulnerable.
Over 30 per cent of female youth who stay at Covenant House have been involved in the sex industry in some way, including survival sex. While only some of these youth are trafficking victims, this number shows desperation and a drive for survival. Traffickers search this out.
Due to the prevalence of this issue, in 2013, Covenant House developed a comprehensive anti-trafficking response model that spanned from prevention, crisis intervention and stabilization to transition and independence.
In 2015, Covenant House Toronto opened 2 crisis beds for survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Since that time, over 95 young women have stayed in these two beds. They sought and received respite and supports related to their experiences of sexual exploitation and trafficking.
In 2016, Covenant House opened the Rogers Home, a two-year transitional housing program for young women who experienced sexual exploitation. Since then, they have received 36 referrals for this program and have supported 20 young women in their recovery.
In November 2018, they added a third housing option for survivors of human trafficking, in response to a clear need for more supported and immediate housing. This unique living space, the Avdell Home, is a shorter term housing option. Since opening, they have had a total of 19 intakes and 29 inquiries / referrals.
Covenant House's Advocate Team has been providing case management and advocacy supports to young people in these spaces and in the community. To date, they have provided care to over 221 young women.
This webinar will be of value to communities who are hoping to develop a comprehensive response to the issue of sexual exploitation.
Speakers from Covenant House will share information about the process and content of their anti-trafficking model. Participants will become familiar with the key design elements of this housing programs and the role of their human trafficking advocates.
Of particular focus will be Covenant House's key learnings in delivering housing and advocacy supports to this unique population, related to:
Court Supports and Legal Advocacy
Trauma-Informed and Resiliency Focus Day to Day provision of Services
Facility management (Staffing, Sanctuary: Island / Isolation)
Program Design Considerations
There are currently no upcoming dates scheduled for this webinar.
Members: $50+HST per connection
Non-Members: $75+HST per connection
NOTE: One or multiple individuals within an organization may participate through each connection via one computer or device.
If you are looking to connect from a separate location or on a separate device, you will need to purchase an additional connection.
Covenant House is the largest agency in Canada serving youth who are homeless, trafficked, or at risk. Covenant House is inclusive, intentional and impactful.
We have been providing 24/7 crisis care, transitional housing, on-site and in-community provision of comprehensive services; education; counselling; health care; employment assistance; job training and after-care for well over 35 years.
Julie Neubauer is Covenant House Torontos Manager of Anti-Human Trafficking Services.Julie supports and coordinates the agencys diverse and multi-service Anti-trafficking Program for young women ages 16-24.
Julie provides direction and supervision to the agencys 3 HT/SE Advocates as they share an active case load of 52. Since July of 2015, they have provided case management and direct support to over 157 survivors of human trafficking. She has developed and now oversees the agencys 3-tiered housing response for this unique population.
She also manages the agencys Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) funded Peer mentoring project, The PEACE Project. This program provides young women with lived experience the unique opportunity to mentor girls in the hopes that together they can create and define the tools and skills necessary to address and manage the trauma and trauma-symptoms associated with sexual abuse and exploitation.
Julie also supports a YIT (Youth in Transition) advocate to her HT/SE team, this individual provides short term case management to young people who are at risk of, involved in, or exiting sexually exploitative circumstances and who have direct involvement in the Child Welfare systems.
Julie worked as a Sexual Health Educator/Counsellor at The House-Community Health Centre before joining Covenant House 18 years ago. She is an accredited Ontario teacher and holds a Bachelors of Education from University of Toronto and a Masters of Education in Gender Studies from University of London, England.
Michèle Anderson has more than 25 years experience working with young survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation at Covenant House.
As an Advocate, Michele is responsible for providing case management services to survivors. This includes identification, crisis management, interventions and after care, as well as legal/ court support. She also provides parent consultations to those who have been impacted by this issue.
Additionally, Michèle speaks at local and national anti-trafficking forums and provides training sessions to a variety of audiences including municipal bylaw enforcement staff, Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Ministry of the Attorney General, Canada Boarder Services, teachers, medical staff and police.
Michèle works collaboratively with community partners across the city, province and country. She is a member of the Toronto Police Services Sexual Assault Advisory Committee , the Victim Services 24/7 Response Table, as well as others. She contributed to the Ontario Coalition Research Initiative on the Incidence of Human Trafficking in Ontario and Justice Canadas Forum on Forced Marriage.
Michèle was instrumental in supporting the survivors involved in Torontos first human trafficking conviction in 2014. In 2015, in recognition of her work in this field, she was honoured with the Ontario Attorney Generals Victim Services Awards of Distinction.