Eagles Fire Youth Centre was the site for the Portage Friendship Centre's Youth Sexual Exploitation Awareness gathering and walk today in Portage la Prairie. Acting Insight program manager Debbie Parker says it was scheduled for an earlier date.

Debbie Parker"This is the awareness about sexual exploitation that we missed a couple of weeks ago because of the storm," notes Parker. "It's bringing awareness of sexual exploitation of youth, children, and adults. We're just giving out information and bringing awareness again. And this will be our fourth or fifth year."

She says after the walk down Saskatchewan avenue to Third Street, the youth return and enjoy a friendship dance and round dance, as well as enjoy food together, win a door-prize, and receive some giveaways.

Parker adds sexual exploitation of children and youth doesn't just occur in big cities like Winnipeg but happens right here in Portage and nearby reserves. She says it's atrocious to know what's actually going on with small children, and is an issue from which too many people simply turn away and don't want to think about. Parker says people simply wouldn't believe some of the things these children are experiencing, and awareness has to get out there and the exploitation needs to stop.