news // 6 Coquitlam charity campaigns for tech-awareness among parents » Children of the Street Society brings sexual exploitation of teens to the forefront Alex Stanton Staff Writer he Children of the Street Society unveiled its ad campaign for the first half of 2015, which attempts to balance the provocative with its sobering message. The Coquitlam charity has been fighting against sexual exploitation of children since the mid 1990's, and they state on their website that this year’s predator watch campaign, which began on January 12 and will run for the next several months, “focusses on cell phones as a tool that exploiters use to connect with youth.” Each ad, as stated in the press release, “features three youth receiving texts froma predator who sounds like a friend. The text bubbles are seen lifting items of clothes such asa skirt, shirt, or tank top : ; at home. Little do you know ; you've invited the bad guys into : yideo form, will be uploaded : around the same time. strap.” They also intend to “reach out to parents and let them know that online predators aren't always obvious about : their intentions, and even : intelligent kids can get caught : off guard ... Although many : parents have restrictions : around home computer use, : cell phones are given to youth : without any restrictions. These : devices operate the same as : ahome computer, but often parents don‘ see it that way.” The executive director of the Children of the Street : Society, Diane Sowden, : speaking in a report by the : Canadian Women’s Foundation : titled From Heartbreaking to Groundbreaking, said, “You : hold your child’s hand when : they cross the street. You : watch them like a hawk at the : playground, you safely deliver : them to school because you : want to protect them and then : you give them a mobile device : or a computer and let them take it into their bedroom. You think they are safe and sound : their bedroom.” The Children of the Street : Society is urging the public to : discuss the dangers of sexual : exploitation with youth, and are : taking preventative measures : themselves by opening : programs for 30,000 children : over 550 workshops across : British Columbia, with the : participants being between 11- and 18-years-old. Sowden states in the press release that these programs : are being requested for : schools province-wide. “We : continue to see an increase : in requests from schools and ; community groups who are : dealing with peer-to-peer : exploitation such as ‘sexting’ : oryoung people entering into : unhealthy relationships with people they’ve met online,” said : Sowden. The three poster : advertisements will be placed : in transit area shelters while a : YouTube video, titled Hooked, : which follows the same basic : premise as the print ads in theotherpress.ca Did you know: Douglas College learning centre , Angela Espinoza ki _ News Editor Minews @theotherpress.ca “Did you know?” informs Douglas students about college services. If you're part of a campus organization for students and want to raise awareness, email us at news@ theotherpress.ca sources such as tutoring or other forms of mentorship when struggling with a specific course. Douglas College offers those services at the learning centres located at both the New Westminster and Coquitlam campuses. Services coordinator Reija Roberts revealed a number of ways the Douglas learning centres offer help to students. “Students can book up to two 25-minute appointments per week,” said Roberts. “These are one-time appointments that the student can book themselves using our online booking system. These : appointments are ideal if : students need help with a : specific assignment or help : preparing for an exam.” As for weekly appointments, Roberts : explained that requesting the : same peer tutor is possible : throughout the respective : term, “for 50-minute weekly : appointments, continuing through the last day of classes. “To obtain a weekly . : appointment, students must tudents often turn to outside : PP : fill out the request for weekly : tutoring form, located on our : website.” Tutors regarding online : paper reviews and computer skills are also available: “Students can submit their : papers to our peer writing : tutors for feedback via an : online form; they can expect a response back within 48 hours. “Computer skills tutors can : answer questions about MS : : Office, Blackboard, MyDouglas, : : email, and other software : necessary for coursework. We : also have a computer skills : desk located in the library, just : outside the library classroom. : The computer skills desk is open Monday to Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.” The learning centre also : offers a number of “handouts, : videos, tutorials, and web links” : that are available to students : regarding English, math, and : science skills, among others. Peer tutors are available for : most major program subjects : at the college, ranging from : accounting to communications to psychology. “Availability of tutors : fluctuates during the course : of a semester. This is why students should keep checking : the online booking system. We : also use our Twitter account ; to communicate available : appointments day-to-day.” : Interested students can also : : apply to become tutors at the : college, and can do so through : the learning centre’s online : application form. “Our tutors are paid and : trained, and paid to train! They : each receive accreditation : from the College Reading and : Learning Association during : their time with us. Our hiring : needs vary every semester.” The learning centre is : located at the New West : campus in room 2105, and at : the David Lam campus in room A1o4o. Hours are located on the : learning centre website. Both : are closed on Sundays and the : David Lam centre is also closed : on Saturdays. “The only difference : between the two is that only our : New West centre has computer : skills tutors and the computer : skills desk.”