Sophie’s Place lets children and youth
share their story in a safe and welcoming space, supported and helped by a compassionate, highly integrated team
Reporting Child Abuse
If you or a child is in immediate danger please call 911
To report child abuse please call:
- 1-800-663-9122 (The Ministry of Children and Family Development)
OR
- 604-599-0502 (Police)
For general inquiries about Sophie’s Place:
Phone: 604-588-0727
Email: spinfo@the-centre.org
Who are we?
Sophie’s Place Child and Youth Advocacy Centre is a child and youth advocacy centre dedicated to supporting victims of physical and/or sexual abuse, providing a safe and welcoming place to tell their story.
We are a collaboration between Surrey Police Services and Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit (former Surrey RCMP), the Ministry of Children and Family Development, the City of Surrey, Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General and The Centre for Child Development.
Who’s eligible?
- Children and youth ages 0-15 living in Surrey
- Children and youth who have been physically and/or sexually abused
Child abuse is a problem?
Yes- abuse happens more often that most of us would like to believe.
Research shows that about 1 in 10 children will be sexually victimized before they turn 18 and in the vast majority of cases the offender is known to the child.
By learning more we can reduce the risks of abuse, know what signs to look for, how to report, and how to support those who have been subject to abuse on their healing journey.
Did You Know?
-
93% of cases aren’t reported to authorities
-
in the majority of cases, the offender is known to the child
-
most adult survivors say they didn’t tell anyone about being abused
What makes Sophie’s Place special?
Sophie’s Place provides compassionate and nurturing services, delivered by multi-disciplinary, collaborative, specialized professionals that focus on minimizing trauma in an environment that’s supportive, friendly and focused on the children and youth we serve.
As the Lower Mainland’s first Child & Youth Advocacy Centre, we are the only one housed in a child development centre. These child-and-youth-friendly surroundings in a neutral setting eliminates the stress of giving a statement in an adult facility and protects children’s safety and privacy.
The integrative nature of Sophie’s Place also reduces trauma and stress for families- they don’t need to struggle with navigating our systems, everyone they need is here in one place.
Learn More
Prevent
How can we reduce risks of abuse?
There are steps we can all take to protect children from harm.
Learn more, and find useful printable resources and worksheets to start the conversation with your kids!
Protect
How can you recognize signs of potential abuse?
What should you do if you think a child or youth is at risk?
We all have a legal responsibility to speak up if we see potential abuse.
Learn more about signs and symptoms, what to do to protect kids and youth, and what your responsibility is.
Prepare
You’re coming to Sophie’s Place to make a statement.
What should you expect? What can you prepare?
What about after your visit?
Find information about preparing for your visit, and helpful resources for afterwards.
Resources
Our More Resources page has helpful information about prevention, including tools for caregivers and activities to complete with children; tools for caregivers supporting children and youth who visit Sophie’s Place; links to resources in our community and more.
“It’s really important that kids can have a place to go where they can be taken seriously, and where they can express what’s happened to them in a safe environment.”
– Sophie Tweed-Simmons
Additional resources in our community:
Fraser Health 24/7 Crisis Line
Trained volunteers provide toll-free telephone support and crisis intervention counselling, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also call for information on local services or if you just need someone to talk to.
- Call: 604-951-8855
- Toll-free: 1-877-820-7444
- Click here
START team for mental health crisis
The Short Term Assessment Response Treatment (START) team provides in-community mental health and/or substance use assessments and has three community offices in the Fraser Health region.
Focused on the mental health and/or substance use needs of the young person and their family, through a family centered approach.
Serving ages 6-18
- Call: 1-844-782-7811
- Click here
KUU-US Crisis Line
24-hour provincial aboriginal crisis line for Adults/Elders and Children/Youth.
- Call: 1-800-588-8717
- Click here
Kids Help Phone
Provides 24 hours a day 7 days a week helpline mental health. Talk to a trained counsellor anytime, even if you just need to talk.
- Call 1-800-668-6868
- Text: 686868
- Click here
Helpline for Children
Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you need help and want to talk to a social worker. You do not have to give your name to talk.
Call: 604-310-1234
Need Help Now
NeedHelpNow helps teens stop the spread of sexual pictures or videos and provides support along the way. Provides guidance on the steps that can be taken to get through a very traumatizing experience.
CyberTip
Canada-wide tipline for reporting cases of online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
- Call: 1-866-658-9022
- Click here
VictimLink BC
Call, text or email victim link 24/7 for crisis support, information, and referrals for victims of all crime, including child abuse. Services available in over 150 languages.
- Call: 1-800-563-0808
- 211-victimlinkbc@uwbc.ca
- Click here
Crime Victim Assistance Program
The Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) provides a range of benefits to assist victims, immediate family members of victims and certain witnesses in coping with the effects of violent crime, where same or similar benefits are not available from another source
- Call: 604-660-3888
- Click here
Child & Youth Mental Health Services
To reduce the burden of suffering resulting from children’s mental illness, child and youth mental health services are offered throughout British Columbia by the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). These services provide a wide range of community-based specialized mental health services to children and their families.
Phone: 1-800-663-9112
BC Bereavement Helpline
- Call: 604-738-9950
- Toll Free: 1-877-779-2223
- Email: contact@bcbh.ca
- Click here
Trauma Counselling
For resources regarding trauma counselling for children who have been abused, legal assistance, childcare and parenting, financial assistance, specialized services for Indigenous families and specialized services for newcomer families, please click here.
Youth Against Violence
Helpline to anonymously provide information or talk about a past or future violence incident.
- Call: 1-800-680-4264
- Text: 604-836-6381
- Click here
Forensic Nursing Service (Surrey Memorial Hospital)
Provides trauma informed forensic or medical care to all genders and ages within 7 days of intentional relationship violence or any sexual assault.
- Call: 604-953-4723
- Click here
Representative for Children and Youth
Provides individual advocacy for children, youth, and young adults who having trouble accessing government services or feel they are being treated unfairly or not being listened to.
- Call: 1-800-476-3933
- Click here
Canadian Centre for Child Protection
The Canadian Centre for Child Protection is dedicated to the personal safety of all children. One of their goals is to prevent child victimization through a number of programs, services, and resources.
Kids in the Know
The Canadian Centre for Child Protection's national safety education program. The program engages students with interactive activities to help build skills that increase their personal safety and reduce their risk of victimization online and offline.
Youth Resources Centres
Provides one-stop access for youth and families to access drop-in resource rooms for support, food, laundry, showers as well as programming for social, health, education, housing, substance use support, employment, and life skills services at 2 locations.
- Central City Youth Hub: 604-587-8100
- Newton Youth Hub: 604-592-6200
- Click here
GAB Junior
Youth drop-in group for queer youth ages 10-13; activities include crafts and games; youth workers and volunteers will always be present for support. Group for ages 14-25 is also available.
- Ages 10-13: gabjunior@qmunity.ca
- Ages 14-25: youth@qmunity.ca
- Click here
Canadian Centre for Child Protection
Resources, education, and advocacy on child protection issues in Canada.
Diversity Fact Sheet: LGBTQ+ Community
Telus WISE – Internet and Smartphone Safety
Offers best-in-class training for parents and anyone wanting to learn how to keep children and teens safe when using the Internet, as well as a variety of tips and tools on Internet and Smartphone safety and security.
BC 211
Provides referrals for support services for all of life’s challenges through phone, text, or online in 150 languages.
- Call or text: 211
- Click here
Pink Book
Resource and information guide for those living in the White Rock/Surrey area; includes quick referrals to available resources in the Lower Mainland.
If you are accessing our website regarding a child abuse emergency please call 911 immediately.
To report child abuse please call:
1-800-663-9122 (The Ministry of Children and Family Development)
OR 604-599-0502 (Police)
Sophie’s Place Child and Youth Advocacy Centre office hours are
Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.
For all other concerns after hours please call 1-800-663-9122.
Sophie’s Place Child and Youth Advocacy Centre was selected as a finalist for the Premier’s Award Promoting Innovation and Excellence.
Therapy, care and support under one umbrella
We provide outpatient medical rehabilitation services to help children reach their potential.