Preventing Sexual Exploitation & Sex Trafficking.

An Educator Training Program

Free online training for Ontario Educators

A bilingual, self-paced course developed by White Ribbon that supports educators, school staff, and administrators in teaching about and responding to child sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. It provides a comprehensive set of lesson plans, digital guides, and resources designed for use in Ontario’s elementary and secondary schools, in both English and French.

Why it matters

  • Sexual exploitation and sex trafficking are serious and growing issues in Canada, including in Ontario. Data from Statistics Canada shows that reported human trafficking incidents have significantly increased over the past decade, with the majority involving sex trafficking. Most youth who are trafficked are often exploited by someone they know.
  • Many young people don’t recognize exploitation, especially when it involves grooming or emotional manipulation, and cases are widely underreported.

  • Early education and intervention are critical. By equipping educators with the knowledge and tools to recognize and respond to exploitation, youth can be protected, violence can be prevented, and safer communities can be built.
   
Be part of the change in Canadian Communities

What You'll Learn

  Define sexual exploitation and sex trafficking, and who is most at risk of experiencing it.
  Identify warning signs that may indicate a student is experiencing or at risk of sexual exploitation /trafficking.
  Define prevention strategies that help students build skills to stay safe online/offline.
  Implement and adapt White Ribbon lesson plans.

Course Structure

Additional Resources

Upon completion educators will be able to access additional digital resources including lesson plans and tip sheets throughout the course use with their students. These will assist students in understanding child sexual exploitation and sex trafficking in an age-appropriate way.

4 Elementary Level
Lesson Plans

8 Secondary Level
Lesson Plans

2 Tip Sheets

Acknowledgments

White Ribbon recognizes the generous support of Ontario’s Ministry of Education for making this resource possible. Special thanks to Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation and Sarah McLaren, Rob Switzer, Christopher Powles and Shelagh Finnigan who led the development of this resource’s lesson plans. The Provincial Anti-Human Trafficking Coordination Team was also key in offering valuable recommendations on all the data presented in this resource.White Ribbon is tremendously grateful for the wide-ranging expertise and collaboration with our advisory committee members: Aura Freedom International, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples/ Congrès des Peuples Autochtones, OSSTF/ FEESO, The students Commission of Canada, the Kenora Sexual Assault Centre, Victim Services Toronto, and Principal Association Projects service partner with Ontario Principals’ Council.

Created by White Ribbon

White Ribbon’s work is rooted in a response to the 1989 Montreal Massacre — a tragic reminder of how misogyny and exclusion can turn deadly. Since its creation in 1991, White Ribbon has focused on shifting cultures where gendered violence is tolerated

Learn more at whiteribbon.ca

Funded by the Government of Ontario / Financé par le Gouvernement de l'Ontario 
 Created by/ Créé par White Ribbon Canada