Family Violence Initiative
COMPENDIUM OF PROMISING PRACTICES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INCREASE SAFETY OF ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN CANADA – COMPENDIUM ANNEX: DETAILED PRACTICE DESCRIPTIONS
SOCIAL CONDITIONS
Outreach to Sex Trade Workers
- Program name:
Sex Trade Out Reach Mobile (S.T.O.R.M.)
- Organization:
Minwaashin Lodge
- Location:
Ottawa, Ontario
- Target Group:
Women in the sex trade.
- Contact Name:
Mary Montgomery
- Phone:
N/A
- Email:
- Website:
Program Overview
- History:
The program has been operating since 2008. It has grown to serve an increasing number of clients.
Program Description
- Goals & Objectives:
To assist women with immediate medical, safety and shelter needs and to reduce harm that women experience in their lives.
- Traditional/Indigenous ways:
Traditional teachings are woven into all aspects of the program. As an example, women are invited to smudges, and medicines are always in the van. The program also believes strongly in being supportive without interfering in the women's lives.
- Components of program:
The program assists sex trade workers in finding emergency shelter and seeks out workers to talk to them about ways of staying safe on the street. It is a mobile service that utilizes vehicles and staff to seek out female sex trade workers in the street environment. The program assists sex trade workers in helping police identify "bad date list" individuals by providing police with details such as physical descriptions of perpetrators, car descriptions and details of the incidents. Staff keep track of female sex trade workers (who they are and where they hang out) and check in on them and ask about them if they haven't been seen in a while. The program also files Missing Person Reports when necessary.
- Services/How they work:
Services are provided out in the community.
- Funding:
Funding is provided by the City of Ottawa.
Relationships and Stakeholders
- Involvement of Target Groups:
N/A
- Partners:
Community Assisting Sex Trade Workers; Police; Salvation Army; Elizabeth Fry Society; Sexual Assault Service Centre.
- Other relationships:
N/A
Details of Program Evaluation
- Evaluation:
An evaluation has been completed.
- Highlights of Evaluation Findings:
The report was not made available publicly, and no specific results can be provided.
Program Outcomes
- Measures of Success:
Success is measured by the level of client satisfaction.
- Achievements:
Clients are now seeking out the services the program offers. Through word of mouth, other women have become aware of and started using the services when in need of help.
- Challenges:
Women are being pushed more out of sight by the community, who don't want to see or acknowledge sex trade activity. This puts women in more danger and makes it more difficult for them to seek help if needed.
Things to Know to Replicate
- Replication Advice:
The program is considered replicable. No advice given.
- Resources:
Adequate funding, properly trained staff and facility space for the programming would be necessary to ensure the program's success.
- Date modified: