Stuff for Sex – It’s not a fair trade.
It’s not something that we like to talk about or even think about, but the reality is young people in our urban and rural communities are trading sexual acts for things in return. They’re doing it for a place to stay, a ride somewhere, or even a pack of smokes. It’s a reality for many young people, yet adults generally have no idea this is happening.
It’s called Sexual Exploitation. This is the illegal act of luring or engaging anyone under 18 into the sex trade or pornography, with or without their consent. The person doing this is in a position of trust or authority and is taking advantage of this trust. It is a criminal offence and a form of child abuse. It is not ok.
Why is this happening? Various factors increase a youth’s vulnerability which puts them more at risk to be targeted. These could include:
- Seeking a sense of identity or belonging
- Using drugs or alcohol
- Having low self-esteem/self worth
- Survived past abuse
- Are homeless or at risk for becoming homeless
- Disconnected relationships with friends and family
RISE for Youth is a program created by Western Area Youth Services (WAYS) to Reduce the Incidents of Sexual Exploitation for Youth. This program has developed youth friendly posters and booklets that provide more information on the topic, and aim to increase awareness in our communities.
is pleased to offer 2 downloadable posters on our website and an e-booklet version of the brochure with a quiz, for online access to these resources.
Check out to see our award winning website dedicated to promoting positive mental health for youth. Our mission is to inspire youth to reach out, get help and give help.
For more information,Please contact Heather Miko-Kelly, Street Team Leader at 519.858.3502 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
