If you are an educator, service provider, front line worker, or first responder in Nova Scotia and would like to find out more about participating in the TESS Partnership feel free to contact us for more information, or apply to be a TESS partner below.
TESS Core Group
The TESS Core Group meets quarterly and is comprised of individuals from agencies that have a mandate to work with victims and survivors or CSEC or sex workers; or encounters them within the context of their mandate (including housing, youth, health & addictions; victim services).
The Core Group:
Identifies emerging trends and training needs
Shares responsibility for decision-making on collective advocacy campaigns
Develops communications policy and strategy for TESS partnership
Contributes to policy development and communications materials
Co-Chairs Working Groups
Association of Black Social Workers
Coverdale Courtwork Society
Department of Community Services - Sexual Violence Prevention
Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia
Halifax Regional Police Human Trafficking and Missing Persons Unit
Homebridge Youth Society
Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre
Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women
Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association
Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service
Nova Scotia Victim Services
Peer Outreach Support Services & Education (POSSE)
Provincial Human Trafficking Unit (RCMP Integrated)
Sexual Health Nova Scotia
Schools Plus
Stepping Stone Association
Trauma Recovery for Exploited Youth (TREY)
Women’s Centres Connect
YWCA Halifax
TESS Working Groups
The TESS Working Groups meet monthly and are comprised of individuals interested in collaborating on policy and program development.
There several ongoing working groups that address various gaps in research or service provision through advocacy and collaboration.
These working groups are co-chaired by the YWCA Halifax and members of the Core Group, and:
Identifies service needs and gaps
Incubates ideas for new programs and services
Identifies training and advocacy needs
Adsum for Women and Children
Amherst Police Department
Antigonish Women's Resource Centre & Sexual Assault Services
Autumn House
Avalon Sexual Assault Centre
Be the Peace Institute
Cape Breton Regional Police Human Trafficking
Department of Community Service
Department of Justice
Elizabeth Fry Society Cape Breton
Family Service Association of Western Nova Scotia, Freeman House
Halifax Attendance Centre
Halifax Regional Municipality Public Safety Office
In My Own Voice Arts Association (iMOVe)
IWK Health Centre - SeaStar Child & Youth Advocacy Centre
Kentville Police Service
LEA Place Women's Resource Centre
Mi'kmaw Legal Support Network
Native Council of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Victim Services Human Trafficking Navigators
Pictou County Women's Resource and Sexual Assault Centre
Phoenix Youth Services
Sexual Health Centre for Cumberland County
Shelburne County Youth Health and Support Association
SHYFT Youth Services
The Peoples' Counselling Clinic
Transition House Association of Nova Scotia
Tri-County Women's Resource Centre
Women's Place Resource Centre
TESS Regional Groups
The TESS Community of Practice is comprised of front line workers and individuals who encounter the issue in their professional capacity as well as employees from agencies in the Core Group and Working Groups.
There are 4 Regional Groups (Central, North, West, East) that meet quarterly for Knowledge Exchange and are co-chaired by YWCA Halifax and Provincial Victim Services Human Trafficking Navigators.
The Regional Groups:
Create a space for networking and connecting
Provide program and service updates
Identify emergent trends and issues
Share knowledge and resources for best practice
Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pictou County
CaperBase and Access 808
Cape Breton Victoria Regional Centre for Education
Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education
Department of Community Services - Child and Family Services Workers
Department of Justice - Corrections
Every Woman's Centre
Family Service Association of Eastern Nova Scotia
Halifax Regional Centre for Education
Naomi Soceity
Saint Mary’s University
Schools Plus – Outreach and Facilitators
Second Story Women’s Centre
South Shore Regional Center for Education
West Hants Education Centre/Windsor Adult High School
YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia
Apply to be a TESS Partner
As a TESS partner, you’ll receive a monthly newsletter and have the option to participate in the Core, Regional, or working groups. There is no required time commitment, our goal is to build a network of people who care about addressing CSEC in Nova Scotia.