Understanding Sex Trafficking and Online Sexual Exploitation

​MT Space and the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region (SASC) are thrilled to announce our 2023 virtual production of Chelsea's Story! Chelsea will return to screens beginning Wednesday, February 22, 2023, for National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Please read along for more information and to register for free today.
 
Chelsea’s Story is a play based on actual events; it centres on a group of three students who discover the diary of a 15-year-old girl named Chelsea, who is targeted and groomed by a man posing as her boyfriend to traffick her for sex.
 
All performances are open to the public (ages 12 and up) and will have a Q&A session (talkback) facilitated by SASC following the play. Each talkback gears towards a specific audience.

Tickets (Free!)

Wednesday, February 22, 2023 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Thursday, February 23, 2023 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | Arabic Translation Available

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Saturday, February 25, 2023 | 1:00 - 3:00 PM

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

About Chelsea's Story

​Chelsea’s Story was written by Sean McGrath from Alter Ego Creative Solutions in the UK for people as young as 12 to understand what trafficking is about and how vulnerable people, particularly girls and young women, tend to be targeted and groomed. The play has been seen by over 10,000 youths and thousands of professionals in the UK.  
 
Local production of Chelsea's Story began in 2019 when the Registry Theatre Company, SASC, and Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council engaged with other community partners to launch a series of initiatives to raise awareness of human trafficking in Waterloo Region. 

In 2021, Chelsea's Story was adapted by MT Space into a virtual performance. Over the years, Chelsea's Story has been seen by thousands of people within our community via public and private performances. ​

Human Trafficking in Waterloo Region

​Far too often, human trafficking is seen as a problem outside of our community. However, human trafficking is an urgent, growing concern impacting the most vulnerable people in Waterloo Region. 
 
Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, there has been a 23 per cent increase in clients in SASC's Anti-Human Trafficking Program. This program provides free, confidential services to those experiencing sexual exploitation and those at risk within Waterloo Region.
 
In 2021/2022 alone, SASC's Anti Human Trafficking Program supported 124 people; 74 per cent of these clients were children and youth under the age of 24.

SASC believes that initiatives like Chelsea's Story help to increase awareness of human trafficking in our community and highlight the support that is available to survivors.

Chelsea's Story was collaboratively produced this year by MT Space and SASC's Anti-Human Trafficking Program.

learn about mt space

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learn about sasc's anti human trafficking program

Find Support

Those experiencing sexual exploitation can find immediate crisis support via the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888) or by calling SASC's 24 Hour Support Line (519-741-8633). 

SASC's Anti-Human Trafficking Program provides wrap-around services to those experiencing sexual exploitation and those who are at risk within Waterloo Region. Services are free, confidential, and non-judgmental. This program is accessible to all genders ages 12 and up, and is available regardless of immigration status. Please click here to learn more.