Since the KINSA Mothers Online Movement launched on Monday, October 6th, we have seen incredible momentum in our effort to rally the support of 2 million moms and raise $2 million dollars.

The MOM video on YouTube, the MOM Web site (www.mothersonlinemovement.ca) and the cause page on Facebook tell the story of why we believe it's important to rally support for this issue. I also wanted to let you know where funds raised will go, as it is a very important piece of the story and why we need your support.

Today, we know that children and youth who are victims of internet sex crimes are currently under-identified and under-served in our communities.  We also know that at present there are no medical or mental health services that are uniquely tailored to the needs of these children, youth and their families.

The needs of children and youth sexually exploited on the internet are unique.  Producing a standardized assessment and treatment program for children and youth sexually exploited online will greatly improve the standard of care and recovery for individual victims and their families. 

A few months ago, I had the privilege of meeting the team at The Suspected Child Abuse & Neglect (SCAN) Program at SickKids Hospital in Toronto,  a multidisciplinary team that offers care, support, assessment and treatment to children and youth who have experienced physical, sexual, and emotional abuse or neglect, as well as their families.  In fact, the SCAN program provides more than 1,500 consultations to various child protection agencies, law enforcement and other clinicians each year. (You can learn more about the program at www.sickkids.ca/scan.)

Through the Mothers Online Movement campaign we want to support SCAN's research in developing a comprehensive, evidence-based medical and psychological assessment and treatment model for children and youth so that together we can improve the standard of care for these victims and their families.

Donations can be made securely online via:

• www.mothersonlinemovement.ca


• KINSA MOM Facebook cause page
  or


• www.Canadahelps.org (search on KINSA, and specify the Fund/Designation "Mothers Online Movement (MOM)" on the KINSA Foundation donation page).

Thank you for your support.

Paula Knight
KINSA Advisory Board