A Safe Haven for Children: What Teachers Should Know About Sophie’s Place

In the heart of Surrey lies a place where compassion meets coordination—Sophie’s Place, a Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) dedicated to supporting young victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect. For educators, who are often the first trusted adults to notice signs of harm, understanding what happens next and where children find help can be incredibly empowering.

A Collaborative Approach That Puts Children First

Since opening its doors in 2012, Sophie’s Place has been a sanctuary for children and youth up to age 15, offering a safe, welcoming space to share their stories. It was the first fully operational CYAC in British Columbia and remains a model of multidisciplinary collaboration.

What sets Sophie’s Place apart is its integrated, child-centred approach. Rather than navigating a maze of agencies and institutions, children and their non-offending caregiver can access everything they need in one place - from police investigators to child protection workers and support services. The goal? To reduce trauma, streamline support, and ensure every child feels safe and heard.

Sophie’s Place is a collaboration among:

? RCMP – Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit
? Surrey Police Services
? Ministry of Children and Family Development
? Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
? The City of Surrey
? The Centre for Child Development

This team works side-by-side—literally—ensuring a seamless, compassionate experience for each
child.

Why It Matters to Teachers
In the 2023–2024 fiscal year, Sophie’s Place supported over 325 children, with the average age being just nine years old. These are the children who sit in our classrooms, play in our gymnasiums, and line up for story time. As teachers, you are essential to recognizing when something isn’t right and knowing where help exists can make all the difference.

Resources for Your Classroom and Community
Sophie’s Place offers several valuable tools for educators:
A child abuse prevention video, which highlights how everyone who works with children has a role in keeping them safe https://the-centre.org/sophies-place-protect/

A welcome video, designed to ease the anxiety of children and families before visiting Sophie’s Place by walking them through what to expect.

General information and additional resources available at https://the-centre.org/sophies-place/

Reporting Concerns

Sophie’s Place does not accept self-referrals, but if you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, take immediate action:

? Call the Surrey Police non-emergency line at 604-599-0502
? Or the Ministry of Children and Family Development 24/7 line at 1-800-663-9122

As educators, your voice can be the beginning of a child’s path to safety. Knowing that places like Sophie’s Place exist and that no child has to face abuse alone helps us all better serve and protect the students we care so deeply about.

For general inquiries, please feel free to reach out at 604-588-0727 or SPinfo@the-centre.org.