Children of the Street

08/17/2026

This National Nonprofit Day, we’re celebrating the power of purpose, partnership and prevention.

At Children of the Street, that work starts with helping young people understand the risks of sexual exploitation and trafficking, recognize unsafe situations, and know where to turn for support.

But prevention doesn’t happen alone. It takes conversations at home, in classrooms, online and throughout our communities. It takes educators, parents, youth, community partners, donors and supporters willing to speak up and be part of the solution.

Today, we’re grateful for everyone who helps us create spaces where young people can feel safe, heard and empowered. Together, we can help protect youth and build safer futures.

08/11/2026

Congratulations to Will Creative on winning the BCAMA Social Impact Award for our “Don’t put your d*ck here” campaign! 🎉

This bold, unexpected campaign helped start important conversations about online safety and the growing issue of sextortion among teen boys. The results speak for themselves:
6.8 million impressions. 565% more traffic. One message impossible to ignore.

We’re proud to see this important work recognized and thank you for helping us turn a difficult conversation into a message that gets noticed.

👉 To read more about this award and the campaign, click here: https://bcama.com/blog-posts/bcama-2025-social-impact-award-will-children-of-the-street-society

by Athena Canlas Predators don’t knock on the front door; they slide into a DM. For teen boys in BC, the threat of sextortion is real, rising, and largely invisible to those most at risk. While girls are generally aware of online predatory dangers, most boys dismiss sextortion, making them uniquel...

07/31/2026

Earlier today, which is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we asked you to share your wishes and commitments for a safer future. Here’s ours…That every child and youth in BC receives the education they need to keep themselves safe from exploitation.

It's a simple wish, but one that takes all of us. Through awareness, prevention education, and community action, we can help make it a reality. In our World Day Against Trafficking in Persons newsletter, we've shared a few ways you can help, from learning and giving to sharing resources with others.

https://conta.cc/4hGBxy8

07/30/2026

Today, on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Children of the Street's Jen Graham and Neeru Muker joined partners from business, law enforcement, research, and community services to connect, collaborate, and strengthen our collective commitment to preventing human trafficking in BC.

Thank you to the BC Human Trafficking Prevention Network for hosting this important gathering.

Together, we shared our wishes and commitments for a safer future. We'd love to hear yours. What is one wish or commitment you have to help prevent exploitation and support safer communities for children and youth?

07/14/2026

Huge thanks to the Social Justice students at Hugh Boyd Secondary for opening up such an important conversation about human trafficking and sexual exploitation. 💙

These conversations matter. When we learn the signs, talk openly, and support one another, we help create safer communities for children and youth. Tune in to the episode and be part of the conversation! 🎧✨

To listen to the interview with students Mia Nieswandt and Isabel Scott, and Children of the Street's Chantelle Wacchan click here: https://socialjusticevoices.com/our-podcast
Title: Examining Human Trafficking in Canada with "Children of the Street" Workshop Facilitator Chantelle Wacchan

06/22/2026

Some good news: One of the most consequential updates to Canada's Criminal Code in generations to better protect children and respond to modern threats is now law.

The Protecting Victims Act gives police, prosecutors, and courts stronger tools to protect children from sexual exploitation, online abuse, and predators who target kids in Canada and abroad. More specifically, the changes:

• increase penalties for serious sexual offences, including sexual assault, indecent exposure, voyeurism, non-consensual distribution of intimate images, including sexual deepfakes, and obtaining sexual services from a person under 18

• crack down on online sextortion by creating new offences for threatening to distribute child sexual abuse and exploitation material and distributing be******ty depictions, which can be used to manipulate children for sexual purposes

• strengthen Canada's ability to prosecute Canadians who sexually abuse or exploit children abroad

• give law enforcement and prosecutors more time to investigate and lay charges by extending the limitation period for prosecuting Internet service providers that fail to meet mandatory reporting requirements from two years to five years

• require Internet service providers to preserve data for 365 days instead of 21 days, helping ensure critical evidence is not deleted before police and prosecutors can act

• protect youth from being recruited, pressured, or groomed into criminal activity by creating a new offence of recruiting youth into crime

For more information and to read the article, visit: https://tinyurl.com/5djvssfx

06/13/2026

We’re encouraged to see the federal government introduce the Safe Social Media Act, an important step toward better protecting children online, including from sexual exploitation.

The bill would require social media platforms to remove non-consensual intimate images and content that sexually victimizes a child, while also proposing account restrictions for users under 16. At the same time, it allows exemptions for platforms that are deemed to have strong safeguards for children.

This balanced approach aims to allow young people to enjoy the benefits of social media in an age-appropriate and safe way.

We’ll be watching closely as this bill moves through Parliament, and we’re grateful to see action being taken to put children’s safety first.

But, until more safeguards are put into place, it remains crucial to talk to our kids about how to be safe online. Check out Helping Youth use Social Media Safely on childrenofthestreet.com/resources/ for guidance and practical strategies to do so.

06/09/2026

Summer is a time for fun & connection, and it’s also a good time to check in with the young people we care about. ❤️

With big events happening across BC, youth may see more offers online that seem exciting: free event tickets, rides, parties, or exclusive opportunities. Taking a few minutes to talk with your teen about these situations can make a real difference.

Our latest blog shares simple, supportive tips to help families start these conversations and keep kids safer this summer.

Read the blog and share it with your community: https://www.childrenofthestreet.com/blog/advice/big-summer-events-in-bc-what-families-should-know/