Talking for Change

What if we stopped waiting for harm to occur before offering help?

Child sexual abuse prevention isn't only about responding after an offence.

It can also mean reaching people who recognize risk in themselves and are willing to seek help before further harm occurs.

That is the premise behind perpetration prevention.

Early intervention.
Risk management.
Accountability.
Skills for safer choices.

Prevention means creating pathways to help before the point of no return.

👉 Share this post if you believe prevention should be part of every child-protection strategy.

New research on Talking for Change is out. 🔎

A 2026 feasibility study examined Canada’s first federally funded child sexual abuse perpetration prevention program.

Between 2021 and 2024:
• 162 adults were referred
• Referrals increased every year
• 45 clients completed treatment
• Clients described value in acceptance, accountability and connection

Perhaps most importantly, the study found that perpetration-prevention services are feasible within a mandatory-reporting jurisdiction.

This is an important step for the field—but it is not the final step. More rigorous research is needed to determine program effectiveness.

Prevention requires both courage and evidence.

👉 Read the research and join the conversation about what effective prevention should look like.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/10790632261460836

Child sexual abuse is preventable.

Early intervention matters.

Every person who reaches out for support before harm occurs represents an opportunity to protect children and build healthier futures.

That's why Talking for Change exists—to provide compassionate, evidence-informed support that helps people live safe, healthy and non-offending lives.

Learn more:
talkingforchange.ca

Sometimes you're worried about someone else.

If you believe someone you know may be struggling with sexual thoughts or behaviours involving children, you don't have to navigate it alone.

Talking for Change also provides guidance and anonymous support for concerned family members, friends and professionals.

Learn more:
talkingforchange.ca

Judgment keeps people silent.

Support helps people seek change.

Talking for Change believes prevention works best when people can access compassionate, evidence-informed care before a child is harmed.

Every conversation is an opportunity to prevent abuse before it happens.

Learn more:
talkingforchange.ca

Asking for help isn't weakness.

It's one of the strongest decisions a person can make.

Talking for Change supports individuals who are concerned about:
• sexual interest in children
• child sexual abuse material
• crossing boundaries with a child

Support is confidential, compassionate, and focused on preventing harm before it happens.

Learn more:
talkingforchange.ca

Prevention starts with a conversation.
Many people struggle silently with thoughts or behaviours they're afraid to talk about. But seeking help early can make all the difference.

Talking for Change provides:

✔ Anonymous phone and chat support
✔ Compassionate, non-judgmental clinicians
✔ Free therapy for eligible adults in many regions across Canada

Getting support before harm occurs is an important act of responsibility - for yourself and for others.

Learn more or connect with us today.

📍 talkingforchange.ca

Can we talk about preventing child sexual abuse before it happens?

A new Canadian study found that most people support prevention programs designed to help individuals seek support before a child is harmed. Interestingly, support remained high whether the programs were described as reducing risk, improving wellbeing, or both.

The bigger factors influencing support weren't the specific words used in the advertisement—they were people's existing beliefs, attitudes, and levels of stigma.

This is an important reminder that effective prevention requires more than awareness campaigns. It requires challenging misconceptions, reducing stigma, and helping the public understand that prevention is a critical part of protecting children.

Prevention works best when people can access support early.

Study: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/10790632261438691

Self-referral assessment and therapy services are now available in British Columbia for adults who are concerned about their attractions or behaviours involving children—including use of child sexual exploitation material.

Through Talking for Change, individuals can access:

-A structured self-referral process
-A clinical assessment
-Recommendations and access to free psychotherapy where appropriate

These services are specifically for people who:

-Are 18+
-Do not have current or recent legal involvement related to a sexual offence
-Want support to live a safe, healthy, and non-offending life

Anonymous helpline and chat options are also available for those not ready to engage in therapy.

This is what prevention looks like—meeting people early, reducing risk, and supporting change.

Learn more: https://talkingforchange.ca/