Review of the Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Counselling Program in Ontario

By Jennifer Martin, Andrea Slane, Shannon Brown and Kate Hann

Introduction

This summary, commissioned by Justice Canada, presents the findings of a review of Ontario’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Counselling Program. The ICE Counselling Program is funded by the Government of OntarioFootnote 19 and facilitated by Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (Boost CYAC). The Program provides referrals and funding for short-term counselling of victims of online child sexual exploitation (CSE) and their impacted family members (IFMs). The Program was established in 2010 as part of Ontario’s Strategy To Combat Internet Crimes Against Children and remains the only one of its kind in Canada.

The review took place between May 2021 and February 2022. Former clients, their non-offending IFMs, counsellors, and ICE Counselling Program administrators participated in the review, which sought to understand the impact of the Program. The review aims to learn from their experiences to gather suggestions and recommendations.

Methodology

This review used a mixed-methods research design, consisting of surveys and individual interviews, to explore the impact, support practices, and administration of the Program. Data collection took place between May 24 and August 19, 2021. In collaboration with Boost CYAC, former clients, IFMs, counsellors, and administrators were recruited from across Ontario. In light of the restrictions related to COVID-19, all aspects of the review, including recruitment and data collection, occurred via telephone, email, or Zoom. All participants provided written consent and their individual identities and responses remain confidential.

In total, the researchers interviewed 20 participants: three former clients (one youth and two adults); four IFMs; ten counsellors; and three administrators. Given the small sample size, the results of the review are not generalizable to the experiences of all former clients, IFMs, counsellors and administrators. All participants provided consent to record audio of interviews, which were then transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis. The analysis was inductive and focused on development of themes according to the constant comparison method.Footnote 20 The findings were analyzed via an iterative and reflexive process to define and redefine codes and themes as they emerged from the data.

A primary goal in designing the review was to ensure that former clients of the Program were not traumatized or re-traumatized. A trauma-informed framework was used that directed ethical attention to ensuring the safety of all participants. To assess the short- and longer-term impact and value of participation in the Program, former clients and IFMs were asked questions related to their counselling experiences, and about the support, communication, attitudes, and circumstances that shape service delivery. At no point during the interviews were former clients or IFMs asked questions related to their trauma. Participation in research that is conducted virtually may cause distress to former Program clients who experienced exploitation via technology. Thus, in addition to the careful adherence to a trauma-informed framework, recruitment was restricted to former clients currently over the age of 13 years, who were deemed to be better able to decide whether to participate in an online format.

To structure the review, Justice Canada provided five questions asking about: the value of the Program; challenges, including those presented by the COVID-19 pandemic; suitability of the approaches to counselling the Program provided to victims and their IFMs, along with any best practices or guidelines for counselling, training and supervision used or recommended by counsellors; improvements that could be made to the administration of the program; and which aspects of the Program may be worthy of replication in other locations. The interview guide remained open and flexible so that participants could direct and determine the interview flow based on their own experience with the Program.

Summary of Findings

There was overwhelming support for the Program among all participants. The opportunity to address the unique harms experienced because of online CSE provided considerable value to victims and their families. Additionally, many participants praised the minimal wait time between referral and connection to a counsellor, as the wait time for other children’s mental health services in Ontario is considerably longer. Counsellors, administrators, and IFMs also highlighted the importance of providing funding and counselling services to caregivers and other members of a victim’s family, as it validated the significant impact that online CSE has on the family unit. Former clients, IFMs, counsellors, and administrators all shared instances where, as a result of the Program, victims and IFMs were able to establish safe and trusted relationships with their counsellors, which are vital aspects of treatment. Counsellors and administrators described many examples of how they have been able to provide highly beneficial services to clients and IFMs. As one former client stated, “it was very beneficial to me and it’s forever going to have me looking at the positive and not focusing on the bad that happened in my life." IFM participants appreciated guidance on how to support their child, with one stating, “it did help…because they are showing you and explaining to you how things will work better for you if you say something or do something or show [your child] how it should be.” All counsellors expressed strong support for the Program and were grateful to be a part of it.

Suggestions for addressing challenges and making improvements arose from the participants’ discussion of their experiences, as well as their reflections on which aspects of the Program they would recommend if the program were ever able to be offered elsewhere. Participant suggestions included: improving awareness of the Program and its scope; requiring counsellors to work within a trauma-informed framework; providing specialized clinical training and supervision specific to trauma-focused, short-term counselling for victims of online CSE; providing optional psychoeducation and orientation to new clients and their IFMs; enhancing funding for victims and families who need more counselling; providing a choice of virtual or in-person counselling; enhancing administrative infrastructure; and improving invoicing systems.

Participants’ views differed on the best approach to counselling victims of online CSE and their IFMs. Most participants indicated that clinical experience addressing trauma was essential. Many counsellors suggested that Program counsellors would benefit from additional training and guidance about how to conduct short-term counselling in a way that addresses general trauma as well as trauma experienced specifically by victims of online CSE. Several counsellors discussed the challenges related to making the best use of the limited number of sessions provided under the Program, especially for clients likely to require longer-term counselling. Some counsellors suggested better access to specialized clinical supervision and peer support: one suggested a peer network of trauma-specialized clinicians; one suggested that supervisors should have additional crisis-intervention training; and one stated that it would be important to receive clinical supervision from supervisors who had experience with victims of online CSE.

All counsellors and administrators further stressed the need to employ a trauma-informed framework, which recognizes that clients may be traumatized or re-traumatized by treatment approaches or service provision that is not sensitive to the variable effects of trauma, particularly trauma as a result of online CSE. Counsellors and administrators all reported that they were sensitive to these requirements, and that the suggestions they offered could increase their ability to provide trauma-informed services to victims of online CSE.

Conclusion

The review provided a detailed, rich description of many aspects of the Program. It identified which elements work well and where improvement is needed, and inspired recommendations for the development of best practices. With this aspirational goal in mind and based on the findings, the researchers conclude that investing in professional development and clinical supervision for ICE counsellors is an important means to achieve the best possible outcomes for victims of online CSE and their IFMs. This would facilitate the development of a specialized community of practice able to provide specific trauma counselling to victims of online CSE. Such a community could foster the further development of an evidence base, currently lacking in both the academic and clinical literature, that would lead to establishing and confirming best practices. A strong professional support network could further serve as a means to recruit and retain counsellors to this challenging area of practice.

All participants praised Ontario’s ICE Counselling Program as a crucial support in the healing process of victims of online CSE and their IFMs. The suggestions made for improvement were offered in the spirit of striving for the best possible outcomes for victims of online CSE and their families.