Honoring the Spirits of Our Little Sisters
In February 2003, a home was created by the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, supported by Manitoba Family Services and the Manitoba Strategy for Sexually Exploited Children and Youth and the Winnipeg Housing
and Homelessness Initiative. The name of this home is, "Honoring the Spirits of Our Little Sisters". Little Sisters was developed to specialize in the area of child sexual exploitation through the sex
trade. Referrals into the Little Sisters program can come from Child and Family Services, community agencies and self referrals.
For more information visit www.mamawi.com
Risk factors for exploitation of children
through prostitution
- Minimal parental involvement
- Lack of secure, reliable attachment to an adult
- Poor parent-child communication
- High levels of conflict in the home
- Neglectful / abusive home (physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse)
- Homelessness / multiple moves
- Parental mental illness / addiction
- Anti-social siblings
- Association with antisocial peer group
- Age (adolescents are at higher risk of being exploited)
- Experiences of racism
- Low self-esteem
- Social isolation / rejection by peers
- Insecurity; niavete; impulsiveness
- Risk-taking and / or sensation-seeking behavior
- Substance abuse/addiction
- Involvement in criminal activity / involvement in the judicial system
- Poor school attendance
- School failure / lack of successes
- Poverty
- Confusion regarding sexual orientation
- Lack of connection to one’s culture
- Presence of adult sex trade in the community
- High volume of unattached males in the community
- Known sexual offenders in the community
- Tendency to “hang out” frequently in public places
Adapted From: Sacred Lives: Canadian Aboriginal Children and Youth Speak Out about Sexual Exploitation, by Kinglsey + Mark, Published by Save the Children Canada, 2000; Kids in the Know: Risk and Protective Factors Checklist, Child Find Manitoba, 2006.
