In a situation of sexual exploitation, an individual takes advantage of a person’s vulnerability or dependence to use their body in a sexual manner in order to gain an advantage (financial, social, etc.). The individual may also take advantage of unequal power relations between him or herself and the person to sexually exploit them.
Sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse and has many consequences for the victims. There are many resources available to help.
Human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons for the purpose of exploitation. These actions are done by threat, use of force, kidnapping, fraud, deception, abuse of authority, etc.
Prostitution is the offering of sexual services in exchange for goods or services. Most of the time, the person offering sexual services is not doing so for their own sexual or emotional needs, but rather to obtain goods or services in exchange (money, food, a place to sleep, etc.). Prostitution of minors has always been prohibited in Canada and is considered sexual exploitation.
A pimp is a person who facilitates or receives income from the prostitution or sexual exploitation of another person. It is a person who causes another person (whether a minor or an adult) to offer or perform sexual services in exchange for something such as money, drugs, etc. A pimp may also exercise control over the actions of the other person.
What to do now?
If you recognize yourself in any of these different elements, it is important to talk about it.
This list contains contact information for various services, resources and organizations that can help you. Some of them specifically target sexual exploitation and human trafficking, while others target other issues that you may be able to identify with. You can contact these numbers or visit their websites at any time. These people are there for you and can help you according to your needs.
The following intervention teams are available to help and support you if you’re dealing with difficulties due to sexual exploitation. You’ll be able to get support and assistance based on your needs and your aspirations.
SPHÈRES Project
Ages 12 to 24
514 896-3590
https://spheresprojet.com/en/
Les Survivantes Program
Affiliated with the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal
514 280-2080
Concertation des luttes contre l’exploitation sexuelle (CLES)
*Girls and women only
514 750-4535 (daytime) 514 601-4536 (evenings and weekends)
www.lacles.org
Project for interventions with minor prostitutes (PIAMP)
Ages 12 to 25
514 284-1267
https://piamp.net/en/
Mobilis Project
Ages 16 or older
450 463-7100 Cell : 514 229-0018
Maison Kekpart – Projet Sans P NI E
A place where you can talk with other teens and youth workers
450 677-3821
1000 Blvd. Roland-Therrien, Longueuil
www.maisonkekpart.com/sans-p-ni-e.html
Les Survivantes Program
Affiliated with the Service de police de Laval
514 894-4593
Projet Z
Ages 12 to 24
450 543-0413
https://zeroexploitation.ca/en/projet-z/
The Beacon of the Freed
English and French
450 990-9595, Option 1
https://en.affranchies.ca/individuelle
Sexual Violence Helpline
1 888 933-9007 (24/7)
https://sexualviolencehelpline.ca/cvasm-1/home
Helpline counsellors are there for you, to listen and support you, and to provide information based on your needs, whether you’ve experienced sexual violence or know someone in this situation.
Centre d’aide et de lutte contre les agressions à caractère sexuel (CALACS)
* Girls and women only
https://rqcalacs.qc.ca/en/find-a-calacs/
(Visit the website to find the CALACS in your region)
You can contact the CALACS in your area to schedule private meetings with their counsellors.
Centres providing medico-social intervention services
1 888 933-9007
(Contact the Sexual Violence Helpline to find the designated centre nearest you)
Were you victim of a sexual assault in the past 6 months? Go to the designated centre in your region. They’ll welcome you and provide support to deal with any medical, legal or psychological issues.
Auberges du cœur du Québec
https://www.aubergesducoeur.org/les-auberges-du-coeur/trouver-une-auberge
Ages 12 to 35, depending on the Auberge
Are you having a hard time? Don’t have a place to live? Contact the Auberge du coeur in your region.
Maisons des jeunes du Québec
www.rmjq.org/liste-des-maisons-de-jeunes
Ages 12 to 17
A “Maison des jeunes”, or youth centre, is a place where you can go and talk with other teenagers. Youth workers are also there to moderate activities and can provide support if you need their help.
Street work community organizations
https://travailderueduquebec.org
Are you homeless? Are you lonely? Are you dealing with substance abuse problems? Are you anxious or dealing with some type of violence? Contact the street work community organization in your region.
Carrefour jeunesse-emploi du Québec
Ages 15 to 35
https://trouvetoncje.rcjeq.org
Do you need help to find a job, to go back to school or with a personal project? Find your CJE.
Crime Victims Assistance Centres (CAVAC)
1 866 532-2822
https://cavac.qc.ca/en/
Were you victim of a crime or did you witness a crime? Are you a relative of a crime victim? You can get help.
Tel-Jeunes
Ages 5 to 20
1 800 263-2266 (24/7)
Text (8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.): 514 600-1002
https://teljeunes.com/Home
A judgment-free, confidential space where you can ask for information and find someone ready to listen. By phone, text or chat.
Kids Help Phone
Ages 5 to 20
1 800 668-6868 (24/7)
Text: Text CONNECT to 686868
https://kidshelpphone.ca/
A countrywide bilingual service for young people aged 20 and under who need to talk to a professional
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline
1 833 900-1010 (24/7)
https://www.canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca/
Are you a human trafficking victim or survivor? This hotline can put you in contact with social and emergency services or any organization that could help you with the legal side of things.
SOS Violence Conjugale
1 800 363-9010 (24/7)
Text: 438 601-1211
https://sosviolenceconjugale.ca/en
Do you worry about your relationship? Have you identified violent behaviours in your relationship? SOS Violence Conjugale can help you find the support you need.
Crime, ça suffit!
Are you a victim of a crime committed by another teenager? You have rights. To see things more clearly, visit this website
Drugs: Help and Referral
1 800 265-2626 (24/7)
https://www.aidedrogue.ca/en/
Are you worried about your drug or alcohol use? This is a great place to find some help.
Gambling: Help and Referral
1 800 461-0140 (24/7)
https://aidejeu.ca/en/
Are you worried about your gaming (gambling, video games, online and offline)? This is a great place to find some help.
Anorexia and Bulimia Québec (ANEB)
1 800 630-0907 (8:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.)
Text: 1 800 630-0907 (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
https://anebados.com/en/
Think you might be suffering from an eating disorder? Do you have questions, need advice or someone ready to listen? You can call, chat or write to ANEB
SOS Grossesse
1 877 662-9666 (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
https://sosgrossesse.ca/fr
Need to talk about contraception, pregnancy or interruption of pregnancy? Give them a call.
NeedHelpNow
https://aidezmoisvp.ca/app/en/index
You can contact NeedHelpNow if you need help to stop the spread of sexual pictures or videos. You’ll find advice on how to handle the situation on their website.
Interligne
1 888 505-1010
https://interligne.co/en/
You’ve got questions or concerns about sexual diversity, gender diversity or your own sexual orientation? You can talk to Interligne professionals by calling their hotline
Deuil Jeunesse
1 855 889-3666
https://deuil-jeunesse.com
Are you grieving? Are you dealing with a serious illness, the death of a loved one or a loss due to parental separation, abandonment, adoption or a disappearance? Call Deuil Jeunesse.
Ligne Parents
1 800 361-5085 (24/7)
https://www.ligneparents.com/LigneParents
Are you a parent or about to be? Ligne Parents is there for you, to listen and to provide support.
Police, ambulance, fire department, emergency, health services
911
For emergencies that require immediate intervention
Info-Santé, Info-Social
811
When you need information, referrals or someone you can talk to about your physical or mental health.
Quebec Crisis Centres / Suicide
1 866 APPELLE / 1 866 277-3553 (24/7)
www.centredecrise.ca
https://suicide.ca/en
Crisis intervention to help you when you’re in distress, or thinking about suicide
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