Sexual Abuse Intervention Program
Counselling Services: Support for Children and Youth
We provide a range of appropriate, therapeutic and educative treatment and/or support services to children and youth ages 3 -18 ( up to their 19th birthday) who have been sexually abused, and to children under the age of 12 with sexual acting out behaviours. Treatment may include individual counselling and/or family support depending on the needs of the young person, to facilitate healing within the family system. Intervention methods are strength-based and child-focused, using a variety of expressive therapies and counselling approaches.
Art and play therapy may be used and children may be taught safety skills as necessary. We encourage healthy parent-child attachment. We support families in understanding the impact of sexual abuse on the child/youth.
Services are free. SAIP is staffed by two (2) part-time clinical counsellors with specialized training and experience. Services are sensitive and responsive to cultural differences.
At times the program may do small presentations in the community covering topics related to sexual abuse such as safety, secrets, communication, boundaries and emotions.
For more information about the SAIP Program contact our Team Lead at 250-338-7575 ext. 223
If you need help and want to make a police report and/or are feeling unsafe please call 9-1-1.
If you have been sexually assaulted or experienced intentional violence, head to your nearest hospital emergency as soon as possible.
What is Sexual Abuse?
Sexual abuse means any sexual exploitation of a child whether consensual or not. It includes touching of a sexual nature and sexual intercourse and may include any behaviour of a sexual nature toward a child by an older or more advantaged person.
Duty to Report
It is mandatory in British Columbia that any person who believes that a child may be abused or neglected must report the incident to the Ministry for Children and Family Development.
Some ways we receive referrals include
- Self-referral
- Physicians
- Family – Custodial Parent
- Ministry of Children and Family Development
- Community agencies
- School District- school counsellors or school teachers
- Vancouver Island Health Authority e.g. nurses
Funding: The SAIP program is funded through the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
Proud to be accreditated through CARF
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