PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

In all our programs and services, PEERS staff members use their own life experiences to know where and how to connect with sex trade workers. Call us for details of any of our programs or services:

Help with finding affordable housing
In-house access to female doctor
Support in getting to important appointments
Nightly outreach on Victoria's outdoor sex worker stroll
Elements Life Skills & Trauma Response Program
Learn how to work more safely

PEERS Street Outreach Program

The PEERS Outreach RVoffers food, harm reduction equipment, including sexual harm reduction, a warm place to have a cup of tea or chocolate, a place to report violence and bad dates, and a friendly ear. Outreach is the cornerstone on which PEERS is based on. In the RV people can talk about future plans, get referrals to other services, referrals to PEERS programs (like Elements). Also there is often time to play card games, shoot the breeze and have a snack.

Street Outreach is a major piece of enhancing street safety for the people working outside. It is a place where information on violence and violent people is exchanged, health and safety education takes place, and reports of violent customers/bad dates can be collected to be passed on to the police. It is also a place to go after having a bad date. Support and assistance are freely offered.

If you’ve had a bad date remember:

You deserve to be treated for injuries. If you need someone to go with you to a hospital, or the police let us know.
If you’ve had someone turn on you it’s best not to go out again. Your spidey senses aren’t as good after the adrenaline wears off. Even if they didn’t beat you up, but scare you, same thing.
If you absolutely have to go back out, come into the RV and sit a while to collect yourself and rest. You don’t get an award for pushing yourself harder.
Please do get treated for injuries. You are worth taking care of. Also talk to someone about it. You can talk to the folks on the RV, or come into PEERS during day hours and talk to our support folks here. Talking can help.

Call the outreach team at: 250-744-0171 evenings only.

> View Street Outreach Program Support PDF

Elements Program

Elements is a six-month program designed for those wanting to transition from the sex trade towards mainstream employment and/or education. Participants attend groups Tuesday through Friday mornings at the PEERS Opportunity Centre in Esquimalt. Mondays are reserved for one-on-one counselling and support work.

The curriculum for this six-month program was developed through focus groups with PEERS participants, is continuously revised based on participant input and current research, and features units about understanding trauma, healing, personal growth, communication and employability skills, including basic computer literacy. In the last two months of the program, the focus shifts to preparing for mainstream work, secondary or post-secondary training and features informational interviewing and volunteer or community placement.

Elements participants receive a $5.00 gift card for each day of class attendance, two bus tickets per day, and a hot lunch.

Elements Program Highlights

Think Straight: Examines thought processes, their origins, validity/usefulness, and provides participants with the skills and tools to change ineffective thinking and related behaviours. The curriculum includes the following topics: recognizing barriers to potential, communication, planning, motivation, relationships, and understanding the self.
Dare to Dream—Employability and Computer Skills: Includes an examination of the employability issues related to exiting sex work; provides skills and tools for a smoother transition, and includes topics such as self-esteem, intimacy, isolation, independence, budgeting, transferable skills, resume writing, and interview skills.
Understanding Abuse—Taking our Power Back: A group focused on recognizing abuse, violence and trauma, and their connection to addictions; provides participants with skills and tools for staying safe when trauma responses are triggered. Based on the “Seeking Safety Manual,” by Lisa Najivits.
Employability and Computer Skills Groups: Includes an examination of the employability issues related to exiting sex work; provides skills and tools for a smoother transition, and includes a mentorship component.
One to one individualized support: Individualized service planning to best meet participants particular set of needs and barriers.
Beauty Day on Friday

For an intake interview or more information about the Elements Program, please ask for Megan or Sarah.