Sexual Abuse Intervention Program

SAIP is a specialized, client centred counselling program for children and youth aged 3-18. This program is for children/youth/families that have been directly or indirectly affected by sexual abuse, as well as those children/youth who display sexualized behaviours that may put them at risk. Our specialized therapeutic counselling is available to children and youth, siblings, caregivers and families who have been directly or non-directly affected by sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment. Services are also available to children and youth who display sexualized behaviours that may put them at risk. In addition to providing individual counselling services, we provide family and group therapy, information sessions for caregivers and education for the public, such as for school groups and organizations about all aspects of sexual abuse and sexual health.

We take special care to ensure that the counselling experience is emotionally safe and supportive. We help our clients re-establish safety by providing a comfortable environment, respecting our clients’ needs and pace, and developing trusting therapeutic relationships. We can also provide a wrap-around approach that involves other community members who are significant to our client’s lives (teachers, principals, social workers, etc.)

We follow a collaborative and empowering approach that recognizes each individual’s personal strengths, values and life experiences. Our approach is culturally sensitive as well as gender sensitive, including competencies in working with the LGBTQIA community (lesbian, gay, trans, questioning, intersex and asexual). 

Our program utilizes a variety of different modalities including the Creative Arts Therapies, Play Therapy, EMDR, Aboriginal Focusing Oriented Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Psycho-education. These techniques provide a language and safety to explore issues related to abuse experiences. The program provides assessment, individual treatment planning, crisis intervention, safety planning, case coordination, and referrals to other resources.

We accept self-referrals, school and ministry referrals, and referrals from other local agencies concerned with child and youth welfare.

For more information on this program, please call Ruth or Kate in Smithers at 250-847-9000.

Safety Numbers for Children & Youth:

Help Line: 310-1234
Kids Help Line: 1-800-668-6868
Teen Crisis Line: 1-888-564-8336
Suicide Crisis Line: 1-800-784-2433
Youth Against Violence: 1-800-680-4264
Smithers Ambulance: 250-847-8808
B.V.District Hospital: 250-847-2611
Smithers RCMP: 250-847-3233
Ministry of Children and Family Development: 250-847-7727
Passage Transition House: 250-847-2595