Parents teach their children to look both ways to safely cross roadways, but it’s equally important to teach them to navigate Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook, or any other social media.
Craig Krieger, Crown prosecutor, Techology and Internet Crimes, spoke at the April 25 Internet and Technology Safety for Children and Youth event during the Sexual Exploitation Week of Awareness. Continue reading Teaching youth to be safe while online The importance of boundaries, respect and safety
Meet Sean Dunster and Sebastian Barrera.
Both help at-risk youth. Dunster’s approach is through wrestling and motivational presentations, Barrera’s through community development and public art.
Dunster’s path into wrestling took many twists and turns. “I was always a misfit because of my size, so I called my pro wrestling character Massive Damage.” He trained for football, then bodybuilding, until a pro wrestler recognized that Dunster’s frame and athleticism was perfect for the ring.
A basketball game is starting in the Crystal Kids Youth Centre’s gym and a staff member is designating positions with six boys.
The focused and friendly energy highlights a core premise of Crystal Kids: to provide positive mentoring and individual engagement with youth. The centre’s approach is flexible within a programmed structure.
It is recognized that youth who commit crimes should be treated differently from adults.
Intervention before adulthood is crucial in providing the skills and resources for youth to develop into productive, responsible adults. Youth should take responsibility for their actions and face meaningful consequences while receiving support to keep them from a life of crime.
Edmonton police Staff Sgt. Dale Johnson from EPS’s vice unit took some time to talk about human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Sexual Exploitation Awareness Week runs from April 18-22.
All of Johnson’s answers address sexual human trafficking and focus on Edmonton’s situation.
Continue reading The realities of human trafficking Q & A with Staff Sergeant Dale Johnson
The teenage years are difficult for both parents and teens. Teens are searching for a self-identity and more independence. Discovering who you are and what you like requires exploration. Conflict often occurs. Adolescence is also a vulnerable and risky time because a teenager’s brain isn’t fully developed.
In a healthy family, parents provide guidance and boundaries through this volatile period. Unfortunately, many families are dysfunctional. Sometimes parents are simply unaware of the issues and emotions their teens are facing. Or worse, teens may have already been subjected to abuse, addiction, trauma, and poverty.
Continue reading Youth are vulnerable to sexual exploitation Prevention and intervention are key in stopping a life in the sex trade
