Local agencies and service providers that help survivors of sexual exploitation are working together to bring awareness to their work in the city and across the province during the 2023 Sexual Exploitation Week of Awareness, May 15-19.

The Sexual Exploitation Working Group (SEWG) will kick the week off with a live-streamed proclamation event, followed by two educational events during the week. Creating Hope Society,  a community partner, is hosting a walk from the Legislature to Kinistinaw Park on Thursday, May 18th beginning at the Legislature at 3 pm. 

The Sexual Exploitation Working Group is an Edmonton-based leadership group collaborating to raise awareness of sexual exploitation, sex trafficking and its causes and impacts.

SEWG has been marking the week of awareness annually since 2004. The Edmonton week  is held during the Alberta Sexual Violence Awareness Month and also aligns with the National Victims and Survivors of Crime Week. 

“Sexual violence, exploitation and trafficking affect us all, whether directly or indirectly.  The cost of victimization is high, both to those who survive and to our communities. The role of the SEWG is to keep these critical matters in the public mind,” says Kate Quinn, Executive Director of the Centre to End All Exploitation (CEASE) and Chair of SEWG. 

The week will also feature two free, live streamed events over the lunch hours.

“We want to engage Edmontonians by providing webinars during this week of awareness,” says Quinn. “It’s important to learn about vulnerability factors so we know how to strengthen children, youth and adults to identify and resist those who may exploit and harm them. 

The lunch-hour live streams will feature a presentation about the Canadian Native Friendship Centre’s Protecting Our Sacred Fires program on May 16. 

May 17 will feature a presentation from the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Network on the connection between FASD and risk of exploitation. 

All events start at noon, are free to the public, and can be joined at the links below.  For those unable to join live, the recordings will be posted on the SEWG website for viewing at www.sewgedmonton.com. 

12 Noon, Monday, May 15, 2023 :SEWA Proclamation 2023

Click here to participate

12 Noon, Tuesday, May 16, 2023: Protecting Our Sacred Fires, Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association

Click here to participate
 

12 Noon, Wednesday, May 17, 2023: FASD and Sexual Exploitation

Click here to participate