Prostitution Alternatives Counselling Education P.O. box 735371014 Robson St.Vancouver, B.CV6E 1A7 Tel: (604) 872-7651 Cel: (604)786-5437 fax: (604) 872-7508 Toll free: 1-866-872-8751 Email: pacekids@vcn.bc.ca

	Organization Background   The PACE Society was founded on March 10, 1994 by a group of former prostitutes, led by Paige Latin, who recognized the lack of specific services available to individuals engaged in prostitution. PACE is dedicated to creating a caring and judgement free environment where individuals can make a free choice regarding their lifestyle. Programs, services, and support respect the individuals needs and decisions. PACE is dedicated to reducing harm and abolishing conditions that lead to prostitution.   In 7 years PACE has grown from a small volunteer-run organization, operating out of Paige Latin’s one bedroom apartment, to an award winning and nationally recognized service for individuals in the survival sex-trade.   Awards/Evaluations   News Release:   Read the Vancouver Sun article Sins of The City for the latest details and the Reader Response. ****   PACE Society received the Mount Pleasant Agency of the Year Award in 1998. In 1996, the Ministry of Social Services’ (now Ministry of Children and Family) independent evaluation of the Vancouver Action Plan (VAP) for sexually exploited youth recommended that:   "The PACE model seems to be a good one for direct services to this highly specialized and very vulnerable target group."   A community standards questionnaire on prostitution; over 300 responses have been collected to date. With support from the B.C. Attorney General, PACE held The Vancouver Sexually Exploited Youth Forum: a focus group of over 35 sexually exploited youth that collected their input on solutions to problems they identified.   Housing   We invite you to join PACE, Urban Native Youth Society, Habitat for Humanity and Save The Children Canada (This agency will be disseminating this project to create a replicable model throughout Canada.) There is a growing list of others in the development and establishment of an innovative pilot project that will provide much needed housing for young women in the sex trade.   The first house is evolving; check our Housing Project page for more information. Housing phase II: An update with pictures is now online. Housing Phase III: Get an idea of just how far the house has come. With the help of a few before and after photos.   For more information or make a donation contact pacekids@vcn.bc.ca   Outreach/Crisis Intervention   PACE operates a comprehensive outreach program designed by a group of youth involved in the survival sex-trade. The goal of the outreach program is to make non-judgmental and significant contact with youth in the survival sex-trade in order to assist them to leave the streets.   Community and Client Support Individual counseling, referrals, and advocacy. Individual support with setting and attaining goals. Referrals to support groups. One-on-one assistance with education, employment and skills training programs. Emergency moves with a police escort when youth are escaping pimps. Working with neighborhoods to identify and implement long-term sustainable. strategies to address the impact of the sex-trade on their Community.   Advocacy Referrals and support service regarding legal, medical, education and housing. Assistance with welfare, daycare, family issues. The paid and volunteer Advocates at PACE are frequently former clients and peers.   Education Information seminars and presentations given to service groups, organizations, community groups, students and professionals.   Prevention PACE has established a broad based community partnership and is establishing a best-practices program to prevent the recruitment of high-risk young women who are currently incarcerated.   Research Quantitative research that examines violence against young women at risk and women in prostitution and the police response to this violence. Qualitative research on young women trapped in the survival sex-trade. An EXECUTIVE SUMMARY of our report on: Violence Against Women In Vancouver's Street Level Sex Trade And The Police Responce

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