the resource project
Trusted Websites
The internet can be overwhelming when you're looking for reliable information about childhood sexual abuse, trauma and recovery. The organizations below offer credible information, practical resources and support for children, families and survivors.
We've prioritized Canadian resources wherever possible and included a small number of international organizations whose information may also be helpful.
Canadian Resources
Canadian Centre for Child Protection
https://www.protectchildren.ca
A Canadian charitable organization dedicated to protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation, with extensive resources on disclosure, grooming, online safety, sextortion, prevention and supporting children and families.
Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking
https://www.ccteht.ca
National information on human trafficking, survivor support, prevention, and Canada's Human Trafficking Hotline.
Canadian Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) Network
https://www.cyac-ccej.ca
Information about Child and Youth Advocacy Centres across Canada and the coordinated services available to children and families following abuse.
Cybertip.ca
https://www.cybertip.ca
Canada's national tipline for reporting online child sexual exploitation, online grooming, sextortion, and child sexual abuse material.
AIDE Canada
A national resource hub developed with autistic and neurodivergent people, families and professionals. Its resources include practical information about trauma, PTSD, mental health, communication and supporting neurodivergent people.
Black Women in Motion
https://blackwomeninmotion.org
A Black-led Toronto organization with survivor-centred sexual-violence programming, advocacy and resources. Its work specifically addresses how anti-Black racism, victim blaming and systemic barriers affect Black survivors.
BOOST Child & Youth Advocacy Centre
https://boostforkids.org
Trauma-informed resources, education, counselling information, and guidance for families navigating child sexual abuse and recovery.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
https://www.camh.ca
Evidence-based information on trauma, post-traumatic stress, mental health, and recovery for children, youth, and families.
Canadian Paediatric Society
https://cps.ca
Trusted medical guidance on child development, trauma, abuse prevention, and child health.
DIVERSEcity — It Happens Here Too
A culturally responsive sexual-assault program supporting immigrant, refugee, ethnocultural and racialized women. Services emphasize system navigation, accompaniment, advocacy and culturally informed care.
DAWN Canada
A national feminist disability organization working to address violence, discrimination and systemic barriers experienced by women, girls and gender-diverse people with disabilities. Its resources offer an important disability-justice perspective on abuse, safety, accessibility and survivor support.
Department of Justice Canada – Victims of Crime
https://canada.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/victims-victimes
A Government of Canada resource providing Information about the Canadian criminal justice system, victims' rights, court processes, and available supports.
Get Cyber Safe
https://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca
A Government of Canada resource with information on online safety, privacy, scams, cybersecurity, and protecting children online.
Kids Help Phone
https://kidshelpphone.ca
Free, confidential 24/7 mental health support for children, youth, and young adults through phone, text, and online chat.
Little Warriors
https://littlewarriors.ca
Canadian organization dedicated to preventing child sexual abuse through education, awareness, and trauma-informed treatment for children.
Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST)
https://nativechild.org
An Indigenous-led organization supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and families through culturally grounded, holistic services. Supports include individual and family counselling, trauma and healing services, child and family wellbeing, family violence programs and help navigating child protection.
NeedHelpNow.ca
https://www.needhelpnow.ca
Operated by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, this resource offers practical information and support for youth and families dealing with the sharing of sexual images, sextortion, online luring and other forms of online sexual violence. Find guidance on next steps, removing images, reporting concerns and accessing additional support.
trans-LINK Resource Library
https://www.translinknetwork.com/resources
Focused specifically on improving responses to trans and gender-diverse survivors of sexual assault and intimate-partner violence. Resources cover police, criminal justice, healthcare, Indigenous and racialized communities, help-seeking, safety, inclusion and trans-affirming practice.
International Resources
National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
https://www.nctsn.org
Comprehensive evidence-based resources on childhood trauma, parenting after trauma, PTSD, resilience, and recovery.
World Health Organization (WHO)
https://www.who.int
International guidelines and evidence-based resources on responding to children and adolescents who have experienced sexual abuse.
Darkness to Light
https://www.d2l.org
International leader in child sexual abuse prevention, education, and adult training programs focused on protecting children.
Child Mind Institute
https://childmind.org
Parent-friendly articles on childhood trauma, anxiety, emotional regulation, behaviour, and mental health.
HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics)
https://www.healthychildren.org
Reliable information on child development, parenting, trauma, emotional wellbeing, and child health.
International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN)
https://www.ispcan.org
Global organization promoting research, education, prevention, and best practices in child protection and child abuse prevention.
Harvard Center on the Developing Child
https://developingchild.harvard.edu
Research and educational resources on toxic stress, resilience and the role of supportive caregivers. Its work offers some of the clearest and most influential research available on how a stable, caring adult can help change a child's developmental trajectory after adversity.
For a complete list of sources, websites, organizations and publications referenced in The Resource Project, please go to our section on References.