Youth Sexual Assault/Human Trafficking Counsellor
Permanent, full-time Owen sound/Grey County
Send resume to: Alana Eadie, Human Resources Coordinator hr@whsbg.on.ca
Date Posted: October 31, 2025
Posting Closes: November 10, 2025
Pay: From CA$26.12 per hour
Job description:
The Youth Sexual Assault/Human Trafficking Counsellor is responsible for providing services to young women who are survivors of sexual assault and/or human trafficking. The Youth Sexual Assault/Human Trafficking Counsellor works with survivors to help them process their trauma, cope with the emotional and psychological effects, and develop a plan for healing and recovery. This may include providing crisis intervention and counselling, as well as connecting survivors with community resources and other forms of support.
Qualifications
Degree in social services, with an emphasis on group and individual counselling
Three years working experience counselling young women who have experienced sexual violence and/or human trafficking
Clear current Police Vulnerable Sector Check
Required Skills
Demonstrates a strong feminist, women’s movement, anti-oppression/anti-racism, and trauma informed analysis, approach, and practice
Demonstrated knowledge of how to integrate a feminist perspective on social and political issues surrounding women’s issues, sexual assault, and violence against women
Demonstrated understanding of the complexity of issues arising for women who have experienced abuse, homelessness, substance abuse, poverty, and/or mental illness
Demonstrated women’s advocacy skills and effective child/women-centered practice delivery
Demonstrated knowledge of individual and group counselling, assessment, and treatment of sexually assaulted and abused young women, trauma survivors, and human trafficking victims
Excellent communications, listening and assessment skills
Demonstrated organizational and multi-tasking skills with proven ability to work in high-crisis environments
Ability to work independently as well as within a team with minimal supervision
Knowledge and proficiency in the use of computer technology and various software applications, in particular WISH database
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment
Demonstrates respect for diversity, equity, anti-racism and accessibility with the ability to work collaboratively and positively with others
A strong interest and understanding of issues affecting people who are impacted by gender-based violence (GBV), homelessness/houselessness, are living with a mental illness or substance use disorder, have complex health needs and/or identify as 2SLGBTQ+,
Knowledge of community resources available to assist women who have been sexually assaulted
Knowledge of the complexity of issues arising for women who have experienced abuse, homelessness, substance abuse, poverty, human trafficking and/or mental illness
Knowledge and understanding of the impacts of sexual assault, sexualized violence, human trafficking and gender-based violence
Demonstrated skills in crisis response
Scope and Responsibilities
Provides case management, direct support, and advocacy
Performs feminist model individual and group counselling for youth who are survivors of sexual assault and/or human trafficking
Provides a safe environment in which individuals are encouraged to learn about, identify, and express their feelings
Works within a harm reduction framework
Educates individuals on topics including sexual violence, conflict resolution, alternatives to abusive expressions of anger and other emotions, and self-esteem
Organizes, advertises, and facilitates the development of peer support groups for youth who are survivors of sexual assault and/or human trafficking in the community
Responds to crises and requests for information from the community
Develops case plans with individuals served and other Women’s House staff as required
Assists youth in prioritizing options and developing action plans, and provides appropriate support and assistance in following through on their chosen options
Develops and maintains partnerships with other relevant service providers, ensuring case coordination of activities
Assesses the suitability of Women’s House services for referrals of prospective individuals served and makes referrals when services are not appropriate
Provides comprehensive assessment of each new referral
Completes risk assessment and safety plans for individuals served
Ensures that intake is a positive experience for individuals served
Develops and supervises a program of enrichment activities for youth
Provides court support, as required
Demonstrates effective, responsive, and ethical service delivery
Participates actively in the development of goals and objectives for the program, and in program evaluation
Maintains and ensures appropriate record keeping of individuals served and statistical data, and submits accurate monthly statistical reports to Manager on time
Contributes to, and maintains, pertinent resource materials, and researches credible resources
Works within the community on behalf of Women’s House, as an advocate for individuals served
Provides public education to community groups about violence against women, and specifically sexual violence/human trafficking of young women and youth
Maintains relations with local community groups/services and community partners
Fosters and advocates for social and political change on behalf of sexually assaulted and trafficked women and youth
Communicates the role of programs to others in the community
Functions as a resource for community in the area of woman assault, sexual assault, family violence and human trafficking
Participates actively in staff meetings, agency development and training, and contributes to an overall team approach
Maintains and establishes an in-depth knowledge of all agency programs, and liaises effectively with these programs
Follows all Women’s House policies and procedures
Supervision
Participates actively in supervision sessions with the Outreach Manager
Communicates concerns, issues, and problems affecting job performance and program quality to the Outreach Manager
Deals effectively with job related stress, including accessing need for time off and/or professional development
Performs other job-related duties as requested by the Outreach Manager
Health and Safety
Works in compliance with the Occupation Health and Safety Act (OHSA) & follows all health & safety policies & procedures
Takes reasonable precautions to ensure the health and safety of everyone who may be at risk
Identifies and corrects issues that can be addressed immediately
Cooperates with the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC), and assists inspectors in carrying out their duties
Elects JHSC representatives
Participates in hazard analysis, as required
Reports to Managers anything at work that is likely to be unsafe or hazardous to the health & safety of staff or anyone else & any contravention of the OHSA
Reports every accident, injury, illness, or other occurrence arising in the course of, or in connection with work, that has caused injury to staff or another person
Participates in health and safety orientation, education, and training
Respects the confidentiality of all Women’s House information, including information pertaining to women/children served, staff, volunteers, and organizational operations
Maintains a valid driver’s license, access to a car, and two million liability insurance on vehicle
Maintains valid Standard First Aid and CPR-C certification
Working Conditions
Works as part of the Outreach team, in a unionized position in various locations within the community and with an office in the Owen Sound building.
Works a 36-hour work week but may be required to work variable day, evening, night and/or weekend hours.
Physical Effort and Environment
The normal physical working environment is comfortable, indoors in an office or meeting space. Physical demands require extensive computer work, concentration and sitting, and lifting/carrying items. Regular travel to various locations in Bruce and/or Grey County is required.
Mental Effort
The mental strain resulting from the work of the Youth Sexual Assault/Human Trafficking Counsellor ranges from moderate to considerable dependent on the number of individuals served and program dynamics. The role of the Youth Sexual Assault/Human Trafficking Counsellor is mentally demanding and requires significant emotional resilience and cognitive effort. The Youth Sexual Assault/Human Trafficking Counsellor works with individuals in extreme crisis and distress, with continuous exposure to traumatic stories. A thorough understanding of the potential for compassion fatigue, burnout and secondary traumatic stress is paramount.
Direct Reports
None
Send resume to: Alana Eadie, Human Resources Coordinator hr@whsbg.on.ca
Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. We value the unique contributions that individuals from diverse backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences bring to our organization.
We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of our organization.
Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a respectful, inclusive, and accessible workplace. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind and are dedicated to fostering a culture where all employees feel valued, supported, and able to thrive.
We are also committed to providing an accessible recruitment and employment experience in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process. Applicants requiring accommodation are encouraged to contact hr@whsbg.on.ca in advance to make appropriate arrangements.
While we appreciate all interest in our positions, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.