OUR IMPACT
The Issue
The average age of recruitment into the sex trade is 13-14 years old (McIntyre, 2002); however, the average age of EXIT Program Participant at RESET is 32. This highlights the complex and often lengthy journey towards escaping and healing from sexual exploitation.
Individuals are often recruited into situations of sexual exploitation through:
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- Intimate, trusting relationships (boyfriends/girlfriends, neighbours, friends, family)
- Initial offers of legitimate and legal work
- Promised benefits (e.g. material goods, education, marriage, citizenship, travel, etc.)
In Calgary, it is estimated that 70-95% of the city’s sex work activities happen indoors and are set up online (Gilligan, 2014). Traffickers often recruit online, at shopping malls, restaurants, apartment lobbies, community centres (e.g. hockey rinks, universities), modelling agencies, and Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous groups.
In 2025/2026
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- 73% of EXIT Program Participants reported that they had been trafficked/exploited by a pimp
- 20% indicated they had been exploited by both family and a pimp
- 7% said they had been exploited exclusively by family
There are often complex personal and systemic barriers that result in individuals attempting to exit multiple times before successfully escaping sexual exploitation in the long-term (Mayhew & Mossman, 2007); (Ouspenski, 2014); (Wilson & Bulter, 2014).
In 2025/2026, 52% of RESET Participants had attempted to escape the sex trade previously.
The sex-trade is a complex social issue and there are a myriad of interconnected risk factors that may lead to involvement in the sex-trade. Poverty is a significant coercive factor which compounds risk factors including mental illness, homelessness, addiction, and history of child welfare involvement.
In 2025/2026:
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- 92% of EXIT Program Participants were experiencing housing insecurity at intake
- 94% of EXIT Program Participants struggled with substance use
There are also risk factors that women experience while they are involved in the sex-trade including increased risk for further violent victimization including physical and sexual assault, verbal threats and abuse, robbery kidnapping and murder (Atchison & Lowman, 2006). When women enter the EXIT Program, they have often experienced recent violent victimization, at times including severe physical trauma.
The impact of involvement in the sex-trade can also create inter-generational concerns and problems, as the children of sex workers are witnesses and victims of violence themselves, experience developmental, educational, behavioural and attachment concerns and are frequently removed from their mother’s care and placed into government care. Some children of mothers involved in sex work grow up to repeat the same patterns of violence, addiction and exploitation in their own lives.
Our Impact 2026
Phase One: i-EXIT
Safety & Stabilization
women supported
%
were housed through their connection with RESET
%
of Participants said they had been connected to resources and supports that were helpful for them.
%
of Participants felt their immediate needs and concerns had been addressed directly through RESET
Phase Two: EXIT
Healing & Capacity Building
women supported
%
of Participants said that the Program helped them advance their healing journey
%
of Participants were supported with mental health supports
%
of Participants were supported in addressing problematic substance use concerns
Phase Three: Community Support
Independence & Empowerment
women supported
%
of Participants reported no further involvement in the sex trade
Evaluation
RESET programming is evaluated on an ongoing basis by external evaluation experts at Constellation Consulting Group to help understand the impact of RESET’s work and reveal learnings for continuous program improvement.
RESET programming is evaluated using a developmental evaluation approach. Developmental evaluation places the evaluator in the role of observer, questioner, and facilitator, supporting a holistic understanding of program implementation and processes, and helping to identify areas of success and challenge, as well as outcomes and impact. The result of using a developmental evaluation approach is a continuous feedback loop that accompanies program innovation as well as point-in-time (e.g. end of project) reporting on successes and challenges. The developmental evaluation of RESET programming is utilization-focused, meaning it is centred around “how real people in the real world apply evaluation findings and experience the evaluation process” (Patton, 2008). All evaluation activities are strengths-based, seeking to elevate the voices and stories of Participants while assessing program successes and learnings.
A mix of quantitative and qualitative information has been used including:
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- Analysis of demographic data (e.g. age, gender, level of education);
- Analysis of process data (e.g. program referral source);
- Analysis of intake data (e.g. living situation at intake);
- Analysis of reflective exit surveys completed by Participants;
- Analysis of one-year follow-up surveys completed by Participants.
Our most recent Social Return on Investment (SROI) indicated for every dollar invested in the EXIT Program
dollars in Social and Economic value is created
Approximately 45% of value created by RESET goes back to Participants and their children through increased wellbeing and decreased costs associated with sex trade involvement. The remaining 55% of value created by RESET goes back to different levels of government due to reduced service and system use.
Strategic Plan 2026-2028
1. To relieve homelessness through providing safe housing to those exiting sexual exploitation and sex trafficking, with a focus on facilitating their transition to independent living.
2. To address the recovery needs of those exiting sexual exploitation and sex trafficking through one-on-one intensive case management, life-skills programming, and individualized support services, including but not limited to, drug and alcohol addiction support, legal assistance, mental health support, child welfare assistance, employment skills, and housing supports.
3. To raise public awareness of the issue of sexual exploitation and sex trafficking by advocating for the rights, dignity, and well-being of those affected by sexual exploitation and sex trafficking.
4. To enhance the societal capacity to recognize, respond to, and prevent sexual exploitation and sex trafficking through providing education and training to public service professionals including, but not limited to, police officers, healthcare professionals, teachers, as well as individuals, communities, and other professionals.
5. To conduct activities that are incidental and ancillary to the attainment of the above charitable purposes.
Vision:
For sexually exploited women and girls to know there is a way out.
Mission:
To provide comprehensive individualized support and safe housing to women and girls age 16 and over exiting sexual exploitation and sex trafficking so that they may transform their lives.
1. Women are sexually exploited through no fault of their own and are worthy of the same equal rights and opportunities available to every person in Canada.
2. Women who come to RESET are all on an individual journey and the RESET door is always open to them.
3. RESET is a non-judgmental safe place of healing and hope providing encouragement, community, compassion, understanding and positive o pportunity.
4. Childcare should not be a barrier to exiting sexual exploitation. Provision of safe childcare is integral to the success of RESET Participants who are mothers, and breaks generational cycles of abuse and exploitation.
Strategic Intentions
1. Impact Systemic Change
Goals
1. Increased awareness and understanding of Human Trafficking and the role RESET plays
2. RESET participates in regional and national anti‑trafficking coalitions
Desired Outcomes
1. Trafficking is complex; collaboration and participation are essential
2. Trafficked voices are heard, and systemic barriers to recovery are removed
Measure of Success
Goal 1.
- Deliver two SET Training sessions per year
- Two major public awareness campaigns are launched per year
Goal 2.
- Annual participation in local, provincial and national collaborations
- Ongoing contributions of expertise to systemic change efforts
2. Provide Survivor-Centered Programs & Services
Goals
1. Re-assess program approaches and processes to ensure alignment with best practice and responsiveness to emergent community circumstances
2. A commitment to ensuring every action, policy, and partnership is grounded and reflects the needs, safety, and dignity of survivors.
3. Deliver trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessible services that meet survivors’ immediate and long-term needs.
Desired Outcomes
1. RESET will continue to be the leader and set the benchmark for organizations that provide programs and services to Survivors of sexual exploitation and sex-trafficking.
2. Women move through the system/ program at their own pace with supports, not enablers
3. Women move into the community with social and economic supports to continue to thrive
4. Client voice is supported and heard
5. Participants maintain exit from exploitation
Measure of Success
Goal 1.
- 90% of program measures met
- Maintain positive Social Return on Investment (SROI) results
Goals 2 & 3.
- Continued partnership with local agencies, law enforcement, and community leaders to create safer futures and champion systemic change in Calgary and beyond.
- 95% of survivors report feeling safer, more supported, have been connected to resources, and felt their immediate needs were addressed after engagement.
3. Organizational Capacity & Workforce Development
Goals
1. Strong and stable organizational capacity
2. A strong agency requires a strong, supported team
3. Deliver trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessible services that meet survivors’ immediate and long-term needs.
Desired Outcomes
1. Capacity for achieving organizational outcomes
2. Strengthen data collection and analysis systems
3. Implement evaluation frameworks for all programs
4. Sustainability of financial resources
5. Build a resilient, skilled and engaged workforce
Measure of Success
- Diversify funding streams
- Invest in data collection and evaluation
- Annual Program Evaluation/Impact Report
- 100% of programs evaluated using standardized frameworks.
- Invest in staff development, employee engagement, and succession planning
- 100% staff participation in annual training.
- 15% reduction in staff turnover.
Your dollars ensure our comprehensive programming including our EXIT Program Housing, Life-Skills Classroom, Employment Skills Training, and Educational Scholarships will continue to make a difference in the lives of women and their children, as detailed in our Annual Report.