New app aims to help kids facing sexual exploitation

A youth centre in Saskatoon has relaunched its “I Am Not 4 Sale” app, which EGADZ hopes will help sexually exploited youth by allowing them to connect to emergency services discreetly and anonymously.

EGADZ executive director Don Meikle hopes the app helps young people who need it.

“This app is going to be a game-changer in how we support young people who are being sexually exploited, not just here in Saskatoon but in any community in Saskatchewan,” Meikle said Friday.

“The ability for a young person being sexually trafficked to immediately and discreetly have emergency services called right to their exact location is going to save lives.”

The app also has a ‘Live Chat’ feature so individuals can engage with counsellors no matter what time it is or where they are.

Saskatoon Riversdale MLA Marv Friesen joined EGADZ for a live demonstration of the app Friday and said he’s proud to be a part of the project.

“EGADZ has always placed a focus on listening to the young people who they work for, developing programs and services based on their ideas, experiences and wisdom,” Friesen said.

“The I Am Not 4 Sale app is a perfect example of this, and I am proud government has once again provided financial support to this project that will mean more safety and security for young people here in Saskatoon and across Saskatchewan.”

The Ministry of Social Services provided close to $50,000 to support the redevelopment of the I Am Not 4 Sale app and website.

The ministry also is providing annual funding for other initiatives aimed at supporting sexually exploited children and youth.

EGADZ is recognized nationally and internationally as being a social innovator. It won the Governor General’s Innovation Award in 2019.