About Us

Children of the Street Society is a Provincial Society and a Federal Charity, concerned with the growing number of children coerced into and exploited within the sex trade of British Columbia.   The Society’s mission is to take a proactive approach through public awareness, education, and prevention-based workshops to decrease the number of sexually exploited children and youth, while also offering support to families since 1995.

The Society was founded when Executive Director, Diane Sowden lost her 13 year old daughter to the sex trade.  Recognizing that this vicious cycle can happen to any of our children in the community, the priority of the Society has been to pro-actively launch Prevention Based Workshops through out the Province, for children, parents, caregivers, service providers, police, government and other community partners. 

Highlights of our achievements

• Children of the Street Society has been successful in its endeavours to increase the Legal Age of Protection to 16.  A new law is now passed.

• In 2007/2008, the Society conducted over 550 workshops to more than 25,000 participants throughout the B.C.

• Children of the Street Society’s programs and initiatives have resulted in the decrease of children and youth that may have otherwise been lured into the sex trade.

• The Society has also brought about an increased understanding and support for youth that need help in order to exit the sex trade. 

• The Society has connected children and youth who have come forward with disclosures of sexual exploitation, to the appropriate support and intervention services. 

We are here to help the children and youth in our community, while also providing support to affected families.