OneChild

 The plethora of opportunities such as interacting with similar ambitious, educated rising stars with great leadership potential and strong ideas, would offer renewed motivation and  knowledge of innovative solutions and how to put them in motion at OneChild. In the past, I was invited to serve on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Coalition on the Rights of the Child. I would attain well-rounded knowledge of debates revolving around key youth  development issues thanks to intercultural,  inter-religious, intersectoral dialogue with mentors,  experts, government officials, further my understanding of lessons learned/ best practices on youth civic engagement and  youth –led development, and diversify my leadership skills.  I would foster meaningful friendships, expanded my network, and explore potential synergies/partnerships with attendees with plans of collaborating. I’d be exposed to innovative solutions; become more critical of OneChild’s programming;  network with donors; expand my knowledge to integrate into presentations; trainings;  youth resources; advocacy strategies and scale the organization.

  With the new funding, I  aim to hire more staff and expand our programs, to offer further services domestically and internationally to fulfill our 4 pillars of education, advocacy, survivor care and survivor empowerment, by mobilizing the field, the industry and governments around the world.       

At 16, I  learnt about the sexual exploitation of children (SEC) and was filled with anger and passion to eradicate this crime. At 17, I  undertook  a fact-finding mission to my native Sri Lanka (a paedophiles paradise) ,played the "MAIN ROLE " of  the" DECOY" - in a "STING"  run by the National Child Protection Authority, resulting in apprehending a 40+ paedophile. It earned me recognition for  bravery and a placement at the Presidential Secretariat   as President’s Nominee on Child Protection.

 https://www.catholicteachers.c...

In 2005 at 19, I founded OneChild - a multiple award-winning Canadian Charity and the first organization in the world  empowering children and youth to combat SEC through prevention education, advocacy, survivor care and empowerment.

 Have an excellent track record of success; in 2013 recognized as one of Canada's Top 5 Charities Run by Young Professionals; earned 29 honors including the Order of Ontario( the highest civilian honor), World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100;  profiled in Wall Street Journal; 10 newspapers from Canada/UAE ;  5 books; model replicated by 2 youth NGO's; students wrote assignments.

Vision - A world where all children can enjoy their right to live free of ( SEC).   

SEC- a pandemic and a heinous violation of child rights tantamount to “modern-day slavery”- the second most profitable criminal industry and  a rampant and vile branch around the world. It is the fastest growing criminal enterprise and $150 billion-a-year global industry.

According to Statistics Canada,  26% of sex trafficked in Canada are children. Approximately, 1,300 Canadian children reported as missing are trafficked annually for sexual activity. In Ontario, 43% of victims- GIRLS and BOYS  are under 18, and nearly 70% of trafficking involves sexual exploitation. The average age of recruitment is 13, and 8 for indigenous girls in Canada and 4 and up around the world. Canadian Women's Foundation, estimates the cost of treating a trafficked girl as $552, 964. Since 2016 SEC on-line has gone up by 612%. Since the pandemic "sextortion" has increased by  88% .

Building off the success of previous 2 speaking tours that reached 36,245  in 86 schools /communities within 2 years and receiving standing ovations, we offer a VIRTUAL presentations through our third innovative "Break The Chains" Prevention Education, Early Intervention & Empowerment Tour to thousands at schools, major conferences and received exceptional testimonials.

We work with schools, school boards, target youth in Grades 7-12 , youth under 18 in  service facilities,  marginalized, living in poverty

Prior to 2005, efforts by government, law enforcement and NGO awareness campaigns on SEC had failed to include children. Until my initiative,  children especially from marginalized communities  did not have a role.. To close that gap, elevate opportunities I  founded OneChild to acknowledge and empower youth--as true experts-to  lead and develop solutions to end SEC. In 2005, we became trailblazers in Canada to provide a "youth-designed and youth- led" prevention education program consisting of highly specific, comprehensive presentations and workshops.in schools , universities, religious/business groups, corporations and at major conferences  in Canada, US and around the world.

We focus only on one area of social justice;  is the only and longest serving  Canadian NGO combating SEC over10 years ;offer a program of 4 components: Speaking Tour ;  Action-Planning Workshops; Empowerment Resources; Youth Advisory Squad.

 WE SEE CHILDREN - NOT COMMODITIES . SURVIVOR CARE EXISTS DUE  TO FAILED PREVENTION. THEREFORE OUR APPROACH MUST BE PREVENTATIVE NOT PALLAITIVE. We must reach children before traffickers do.  Schools are no longer safe havens. Lack of focus on prevention, particularly through youth empowerment is hampering our ability to stem the supply. To address the multi-faceted nature,  multi-stakeholder collaborations and focusing on prevention are crucial.

10,000 Youth being empowered to change risky behavior,engage in safe practices.

•  Participating in advocacy for improved laws/ policies
•  Thousands moved to action,  shape global civic identity, hone civic literacy skills, engage in philanthropy , be leaders.

              SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES (1 year)               -Improved awareness of rights, knowledge to identify grooming/ trafficking ,  reporting mechanisms, community supports,  prevent trafficking, improved civil literacy/ leadership skills , understanding among males of role as allies, improved confidence.              LONG-TERM OUTCOMES (3 years)              -Decrease in SEC among youth,-Increased civic action , awareness, law,policies enacted, reduced demand,  increased housing, rehab/reintegration support by fundraising of youth               -The voices /perspectives of  victims/ survivors   incorporated in developing legislation/ policies/ programs on a wide-scale.

•  We've strived hard, reached youth,  global stake holders , expanded  reach, served as panelists/presenters at high level Canadian / US conferences/town halls sharing stage with dignitaries. Collect data on success- pre/ post surveys, feedback , focus groups.observations . Very effective per key  statistic.

• 100%  respondents( students and teachers) think more students need to hear our presentation; informative; educators/teachers graded presentations exceptional /outstanding
• 58/63 students or 92% of student respondents claim knowledge to spot a victim.
• 58/61 or 95% of student respondents can now recognize warning signs.