Human Trafficking Counsellor/Advocate - Black, Indigenous & Racialized Communities

Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 59,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization is seeking a full-time Anti-Human Trafficking Counsellor Advocate to support Black, Indigenous, and Racialized survivors. This role involves trauma-informed counselling, case management, and extensive community engagement. Applicants should have a commitment to social justice and experience in crisis response and advocacy.

Benefits

100% employer-paid health/dental/vision coverage

4 weeks of vacation

RRSP Matching after 1 year

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience working with survivors of violence, trafficking, exploitation, or sexual abuse.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care.
• Comfort supporting individuals experiencing complex trauma, including PTSD and addictions.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual counselling and case management.
• Support clients in navigating housing, mental health, legal, and immigration systems.
• Build trust-based relationships with survivors.

Skills

Communication

Crisis Response

Advocacy

Relationship Building

Education

Degree or diploma in social work, community services, counselling, or a related field

Job description

Anti-Human Trafficking Counsellor Advocate: Black, Indigenous & Racialized Communities

Full-Time | In-Person | Based in Waterloo Region - PERMANENT

Evening Work: 1 evening per week

Travel required throughout the region (vehicle necessary)

Are you passionate about walking alongside survivors with care, courage, and cultural humility? Join us in building safer pathways for Black, Indigenous, and Racialized survivors of human trafficking.

The Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region (SASC) is seeking a full-time Anti-Human Trafficking Counsellor to provide holistic, trauma-informed counselling and case support to survivors, particularly those who are Black, Indigenous, or Racialized. This is a fully in-person role that involves extensive travel across the region and requires flexibility for one evening of work per week (Tuesdays).

We encourage individuals who are from Black, Indigenous, or racialized communities to apply.

About the Role

As an Anti-Human Trafficking Counsellor Advocate, you will offer wraparound, trauma-informed support to survivors of trafficking, including those at-risk ages 12 and older. You will:

• Provide individual counselling and case management with a harm reduction and survivor-centered approach
• Support clients in navigating housing, mental health, legal, and immigration systems
• Build trust-based relationships with survivors through culturally relevant, community-embedded care
• Collaborate closely with community partners, including harm reduction agencies, housing and social services, and justice system partners
• Share knowledge of human trafficking to build capacity within our community partners and educate at-risk populations
• Travel to meet survivors where they are, in community agencies, shelters, transitional housing, or other spaces

This position is part of our specialized Anti-human Trafficking Program and works closely with counsellors, legal advocates and a network of community partners.

You May Be a Great Fit If You:

• Are from a Black, Indigenous, or Racialized community and are deeply committed to supporting survivors from your community
• Have experience in gender-based violence, anti-trafficking, crisis response, counselling, or frontline advocacy
• Believe in the power of harm reduction, anti-oppression, and culturally rooted healing
• Have excellent communication and relationship-building skills, especially with survivors who may distrust formal systems
• Are comfortable working independently while also contributing to a collaborative team
• Have a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle

Qualifications and Assets

We welcome candidates with a variety of educational and experiential pathways. Some qualifications that would support your success in this role include:

• Experience working with survivors of violence, trafficking, exploitation, or sexual abuse
• Degree or diploma in social work, community services, counselling, or a related field (or equivalent lived/professional experience)
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, mental health, harm reduction, or crisis counselling
• Comfort supporting individuals experiencing complex trauma, including PTSD, addictions, and housing insecurity
• Experience with case management, safety planning, and community referrals
• Fluency in a second language is an asset
• Availability to work one evening per week (Tuesdays)
• Office hours at our various locations: SASC Main Office, SASC Cambridge Office, Waterloo Region Waterloo Region Courthouse office and at the Family Violence Project office located at 400 Queen S400 Queen St. S. Kitchener, as well regular accompaniments to appointments throughout Waterloo Region

What We Offer

• Starting Salary:$59,150 ($32.50/hour, 35-hour work week)
• Health benefits are 100% employer-paid health/dental/vision coverage for staff and families
• New hires enjoy 4 weeks of vacation, time off between December 25th and January 1st inclusive and a generous bank of Personal Time Off
• RRSP Matching after 1 year of employment
• Individualized professional development, regular training, mentorship, and learning opportunities
• Commitment to enhancing equity through mandatory Anti-Racism training, an active Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive staff-led committee and ensuring that the voices ofstaff and survivors from equity-deserving groups are prioritized and centered within the work
• A supportive, feminist workplace deeply rooted in the social justice movement, community and equity

Accessibility & Equity

We recognize that sexual violence disproportionately affects women, trans, and non-binary individuals. Further, we recognize that our work is conducted on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishnaabe and Chonnonton Peoples, specifically on the Haldimand Tract, which was granted to the Six Nations along the Grand River. This acknowledgment is crucial due to sexual violence, including human trafficking being rooted in oppressive systemssuch as sexism, racism and colonialism specially on Black, Indigenous, and racialized women, girls, and gender-diverse survivors.

We will provide accommodation at any stage of the hiring process on request. To discuss your needs confidentially, please contact us at [e-mail] or [phone].

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and brief cover letter (1 page) describing your interest in the role and relevant experience to [e-mail]. Please include “Anti-Human Trafficking Counsellor Application” in the subject line.