Talking with young peoples about prostitution (sex work, sex trade) is uncomfortable yet necessary. Many of our young peoples are being recruited into this lifestyle because we are fearful of sharing with them the realities of the sex industry and that it does exist. This website is about sharing with you the basic knowledge about this industry in hopes that this information will eventually be shared with young people to further prevent sexual exploitation. We encourage you to request that your schools, school counsellors, PTA representatives and other parents schedule educational workshops with realistic information about recruiting tactics and sexual exploitation, from people who are experiential, for the benefit of our communities.

1. Start early.
As a parent, you have a wonderful opportunity to talk with your child about these issues first, before anyone else can confuse your child with incorrect information or explanations that lack the sense of values you want to instill.

2. Initiate conversations with your child.
Just one or two questions could help start a valuable discussion that comes from everyday circumstances and events. Children of varied ages are usually at different developmental levels, which means that they need different information, have different sensitivities and require a different vocabulary.

3. Listen to your child.
Listening carefully also helps us better understand what our children really want to know as well as what they already understand. Listening to our children and taking their feelings into account also helps us understand when they've had enough.

4. Address any fears.
Don't dismiss a child's fears. Children can feel embarrassed or criticized when their fears are minimized. Exploring the issues and positive ways of coping help children master their fear and anxiety.

5. Create an open environment.
By being encouraging, supportive and positive, kids accept, "I don't know," and "let's go find out," and these are better responses than any inaccurate or misleading answers you may be tempted to offer.

6. Communicate your own values.
Remember: research shows that children want and need moral guidance from their moms and dads so, don't hesitate to make your beliefs clear.

7. Try to be honest.
It's what strengthens our children's ability to trust. When we don't provide a straightforward answer, kids make up their own fantasy explanations, which can be more frightening than any real, honest response we can offer.

8. Be patient.
By listening patiently, we allow our children to think at their own pace and we are letting them know that they are worthy of our time.

9. Use everyday opportunities to talk.
If we use "talk opportunities," moments that arise in everyday life, as occasions for discussion, our children will be a lot less likely to tune us out.

10. Talk about it again and again.
Children and youth won't learn all they need to know about a particular topic from a single discussion, and they often ask questions again and again, over time. Be prepared, tolerant, patient and persistence will serve you and your child/youth well.

The following are things that you can start talking to your kids about right now…

• What is sexual exploitation?
• What is online sexual exploitation?
• What is a recruiter?
• What is a pimp?
• The power of language- encourage them to stop using words like ho, hooker, pimping, pimp slap and explain the reasons why.
• Explain to them how people get caught up in the industry and how hard it is to get out.
• Talk to them about the music that they listen to and how some songs glorify pimps and perpetuate an unrealistic view of the sex industry.
• Let them know about the realties of sex work and that it is not anything like the movie “Pretty Women”. Deglamorize and dispel the myths.
• That the sex industry does not discriminate and our boys are just as vulnerable as our girls.
• Don’t be surprised at how much your children already know and be open to learning from them.