Ongoing Support + Case Management

Long after police clear the crime scene, survivors need ongoing, community-based, specialized support.

Healing from crime is a difficult journey that can take months or even years. We walk alongside survivors for the long term.

Programs

VST Neighbourhood Advocates work inside police units and divisions with the highest incidents of crimes related to exploitation and violence.

Neighbourhood Advocates give survivors and their families emotional and practical support to address their trauma and connect to local agencies that meet their ongoing practical and emotional needs. 

In 2022, VST launched Exit Route as a pilot project in Toronto Police Force’s (TPS) Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence units. The pilot successfully built trust, reduced crime, and strengthened connections between police and the community.

In 2023/24, VST expanded the program, embedding Neighbourhood Advocates in TPS’ Internet Child Exploitation and Emergency Task Force units.

Today, Exit Route Neighbourhood Advocates are in four specialized units and four TPS Divisions, working right alongside police to address the human impacts of crime and exploitation in the communities where crimes occur.

“For clients to have a consistent connection on a human-to-human level has so much more power than just connecting them to services because they know there’s someone that always has their back.

Having one person with them throughout their journey allows for consistency... when their whole life has been inconsistent.”

Human Trafficking Specialist

Case Management and specialized Human Trafficking Case Management Services provide crime victims with ongoing emotional, physical, legal, social and financial support.

Case Managers stay connected to clients through every step of their journey so they never have to navigate the system alone.