International honours for Whitby-based support group for victims of abuse and human trafficking

A local organization dedicated to supporting victims of intimate partner and dating violence and human trafficking and exploitation was the first ever winner of the Small Non-Profit of the Year by the New York-based International Anthem Awards.

Victim Services of Durham Region (VSDR) is celebrating the major achievement after being honoured by the Anthem Awards – an offshoot of the Webby Awards – that recognizes organizations worldwide for their dedication to social justice and impactful work in driving positive global change.

Victim Services, chosen from more than 2,300 entries from 34 countries, was cited for its social impact and commitment to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion and actually left the ceremony with a haul of three gold, one silver and three bronze awards, as well as two Community Voice Awards and the coveted Non-Profit of the Year prize.

Seven of the awards were for the organization’s groundbreaking virtual reality game, ‘In Your Shoes,’ which is part of a larger teen empowerment and prevention program to educate youth on the dangers of human trafficking, gang recruitment, exploitation, dating violence, and cyber safety.

The program is a collaborative effort between Victim Services, survivors of human trafficking, child and family services, school boards, police, a safety village organization and a game development company. Funding for the program comes from the federal government, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Town of Whitby, among other sources

The group also produced a rap music video, ‘Just Hold On, that was created with artists with lived experience and tackles the serious issue of gun violence and gang recruitment. This video is part of their annual provincial youth violence prevention symposium, which reached nearly 23,000 young people across the province this year.

‘Just Hold On’ itself received two Gold Anthem Awards of its own.

“While awards provide humbling recognition of our hard work, the real reward is that our efforts are saving lives,” said Victim Services Executive Director Krista MacNeil. “We are seeing alarming rates of online exploitation and increased victimization of our youth.”

The honours from the Anthem Awards were also celebrated in the provincial Legislature, with Oshawa MPP Jennifer French recognizing the organization and all that they do.

“This small but mighty team of 14 staff are working miracles and changing lives every day,” French said at Queen’s Park.

Victim Services of Durham Region has supported a total of 5,430 people, including 2,183 victims of intimate partner violence, 901 victims of sexual assault and 373 women and children who were victimized by human trafficking.

Their team of crisis intervention counsellors, prevention facilitators, advocates, students and volunteers operate programs and workshops from crisis response to human trafficking prevention and intervention and are committed to helping people in Durham Region who have “experienced the unthinkable.”

It’s a group that is also in need of support, said MacNeil.

“Charities like Victim Services provide critical support and rely on the generosity of donors,” she said in her acceptance speech. “Please consider donating so we can continue to deliver life-saving prevention and intervention programs.”

For more information about Victim Services of Durham Region and their prevention programs please visit www.victimservicesdurham.ca/home

Launched in 2021, the Anthem Awards celebrate the work of the individuals, companies, and organizations making a difference worldwide. Notable Gold Anthem Award Winners include Google, Everytown for Gun Safety, Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez, World Central Kitchen, Becky G with NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts’ ‘El Tiny’ Takeover, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, AARP, Burton Snowboards, UNICEF USA, Jelly Roll with Power to the Patients, GLAAD, Dak Prescott with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance and the Democratic Governors Association.

“This year’s Anthem Awards Winners are a crucial reminder of the many inspiring and courageous leaders around us committed to creating change,” said Patricia McLoughlin, Anthem Awards General Manager. “Their vital pursuit of a stronger, more equitable, and just tomorrow is incredible, and we are grateful for the opportunity to support and uplift their efforts.”

The Anthem Awards also honor select individuals with Special Achievement Awards for their commitment to spurring long-lasting change. They join the ranks of past winners, including Gloria Steinem, Kevin Bacon, Misty Copeland, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Billy Porter, Naomi Osaka, Dr. Jane Goodall, Pharrell Williams and Matt Damon.

This year’s Special Achievement Winners include:

• Teun van de Keuken – Anthem Vision Award for his work to promote ethical consumption and business practices through Tony’s Chocolonely, a chocolate brand with the mission of producing 100 per cent exploitation-free chocolate.
• Padma Lakshmi – Anthem Special Achievement Award for her work to promote social justice, empower women, and create a broader understanding and appreciation of different cultures through food.
• Christy Turlington Burns – Anthem Special Achievement Award in recognition of her commitment to improving maternal health outcomes and advocating for mothers everywhere.

The Anthem Awards is the largest and most comprehensive social impact award, accepting work across five areas of impact work including: Awareness, Fundraising, Community Engagement, Product, Innovation & Service and Team & Internal Initiatives for seven causes: Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Education Art & Culture, Health, Human & Civil Rights, Humanitarian Action & Services, Responsible Technology, and Sustainability Climate & Environment.