For Release – November 2, 2023
Crime Stoppers Guelph Wellington (CSGW) received international recognition for projects developed locally in Wellington County.
Crime Stoppers International (CSI) announced its annual award winners online in October 2023. The announcements were made via the CSI Facebook page and YouTube channel.
CSGW received top honours for Media – TV for a population up to 300,000 for the video created for the #HTinWC awareness campaign entitled “Her Story”. This video, developed in partnership with Victim Services Wellington and Wellington County OPP with funding from the Ministry of the Solicitor General, was produced by Tivoli Films of Centre Wellington.
Her Story is an animated video of a youth who is groomed for Human Trafficking after an online friendship is initiated. It shares the contact information for CSGW if a Tipster wishes to anonymously and confidentially report someone trafficking a victim, contact information for Victim Services Wellington to support victims and survivors targeted by this crime, and for Wellington County OPP to report the crime directly to police.
The second award was for best Media – Radio for a population of up to 300,000 for an episode of Swap Talk, which airs each Tuesday night on The Grand at 101. The February 2022 segment focused on the impact the program had on community safety in 2021 by sharing statistics. It also highlighted Human Trafficking Awareness Day and reminded listeners that CSGW presentations could be booked. It was also time to remind parents to do a “Screen Check” of their child’s devices to ensure they were safe from online predators.
CSI awards are handed out annually and Crime Stoppers programs from around the world are invited to submit for these accolades.
“The entire (CSGW) Board of Directors is delighted with this recognition from Crime Stoppers International,” said Board Chair Deryck West. “It’s a great way to show residents of the County of Wellington and City of Guelph that the work we are doing locally is being recognized internationally.”
“These CSI awards are examples of the foundational relationship CSGW has with its local media partners,” said Program Coordinator Sarah Bowers-Peter. “The partnership with local media dates back to the creation of Crime Stoppers and we appreciate the support.”
To report crime anonymously and confidentially, contact Crime Stoppers Guelph Wellington at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or go to csgw.tips to provide a webtip. If your information leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000. Follow CSGW on social media, including Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
