Alluriarniq: Stepping Forward

Brief Description

Alluriarniq: Stepping Forward is a program that aims to assist Inuit adults and youth who are involved in prostitution or who are victims of sexual exploitation to safely exit the sex trade or reduce the associated harms. Services of the program are provided through outreach activities, intensive case management, and intensive treatment for trauma and addictions – which are all provided within an Inuit-specific cultural and linguistic context.

The program is centered on counselling and social work; healing circles; peer support groups; mentoring – tutoring; service delivery; and substance prevention/treatment.

Goals

The main goals of the Alluriarniq: Stepping Forward program are to:

• Help Inuit adults and youth currently involved in prostitution or sexual exploitation to leave the sex trade; and
• Provide wraparound services and treatment for the participants to assist with their needs (such as substance abuse and trauma).

Clientele

The appropriate clientele for the Alluriarniq: Stepping Forward program are Inuit adults and youth aged 16 years and older who are involved in prostitution either as a means of subsistence, through human trafficking, or being exploited sexually. Risk factors for the target population may include homelessness, substance abuse, financial need, and untreated trauma.

Inuit involved in prostitution and sexual exploitation are reached through Outreach Case Managers.

Core Components

The Alluriarniq: Stepping Forward program consists of the following components:

• Street outreach services that engage clients; offer supports and information; and provide an entryway into intensive treatment services;
• Weekly, culturally-specific healing circles to engage clients in early stages of change;
• Peer support groups to provide cultural connection and reduce isolation;
• Intensive, culturally-specific residential and day treatment services for trauma and addictions, using a harm-reduction, client-centered approach. Treatment is provided through individual and group counselling and includes: trauma recovery; addictions treatment; anger management; assertiveness training; and learning based on cultural identity, pride, relationships, and sexuality;
• Clients receive individualized plans of care, and when ready, will be assisted to develop plans to exit prostitution and sexual exploitation;
• Intensive case management, advocacy, and accompaniment services will be provided throughout all aspects of service delivery to assist clients to access safe housing as well as medical, legal, financial, educational, and employment resources;
• Continuing care counselling and weekly groups will be offered to support client transitions and goals set during the intensive treatment portion of the program; and
• Data collection will track participation activities, outcomes, and the realities of prostitution, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking within Ottawa’s Inuit community.

Implementation Information

Some of the critical elements for the implementation of this program or initiative include the following:

• Organizational requirements: To properly implement this program, an organization must consist of individuals who are passionate about helping others; committed to enhancing the lives of Inuit people; and knowledgeable and respectful of Inuit culture, values, and beliefs. Members should also be adaptable, enthusiastic, and professionally-driven.
• Partnerships: Important partnerships to the successful implementation of this program include primary health service providers, transition houses, and any other potential community organization/agency that can help service the needs of the participants.
• Training and technical assistance: Hired staff will have (or be provided) suicide intervention training, conflict de-escalation training, and other types of training depending on individual professional development needs. Training will also be provided to meet emerging program needs in the development of this project.
• Risk assessment tools: A risk assessment tool was developed and utilized by Outreach Case Managers and the Alluriarniq Counsellor to evaluate the individual’s situation and to ensure services are put into place to mitigate harm.
• Materials & resources: Because the program functions uses a “stages of change” model, a stages of change evaluation tool is necessary to determine the appropriate level of service to provide participants, and to evaluate their progress.

International Endorsements

The most recognized classification systems of evidence-based crime prevention programs have classified this program or initiative as follows:

• Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development: Not applicable.
• Crime Solutions/OJJDP Model Program Guide: Not applicable.
• SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices: Not applicable.
• Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy: Not applicable.

Gathering Canadian Knowledge

Canadian Implementation Sites

Public Safety Canada’s National Crime Prevention Strategy provided funding to Tungasuvvingat Inuit to implement the Alluriarniq: Stepping Forward program from 2017-2022 in Ottawa, Ontario.

Main Findings from Canadian Outcome Evaluation Studies

As part of Public Safety Canada’s funding, an outcome evaluation study of the Alluriarniq: Stepping Forward program is set to be conducted by an external evaluator. This evaluation is currently in progress; results are not yet available at this time.

Cost Information

No information available.

References

There is no Canadian reference available at this time.

For more information on this program, contact:

Tungasuvvingat Inuit
1071, Richmond Road
Ottawa, Ontario K2B 6R2
Telephone: (613)565-5885
E-mail: info@tungasuvvingatinuit.ca
Website: http://tungasuvvingatinuit.ca/