Nearly a dozen men in Edmonton will soon be honoured for demonstrating what it truly means to be a man when it comes to the treatment of vulnerable children and adults.

The eighth annual CEASE (Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation) benefit and Men of Honour Awards will take place on April 12, with more than 250 guests from all walks of life expected to attend.

“We realized that only the men who hurt children and women get the headlines, so we wanted to celebrate the men who are positive role models in their community and work places,” said Kate Quinn, executive director of CEASE.

“We want boys and young men growing up to look at the men who are the award recipients, to see what does it mean to be an honourable man in our society.”

The Men of Honour Awards are not achievement awards, but rather awards for character. The men are nominated by their community and evaluated on the qualities and values they bring to their work (paid or volunteer), their families and their communities, and the ways they have assisted or advocated on behalf of vulnerable people.

The awards began on the 10th anniversary of the prostitution offender program. Along with the 2013 award recipients, CEASE has also recognized 88 men of honour.

“I think what’s really important in this work to end sexual exploitation is that we work at this together — men and women, and that we help heal the harm,” said Quinn. “The ceremony is one way to celebrate men who work and respect the ways to bring about positive changes wherever they are.”

CEASE began in 1996 to help Edmonton find lasting solutions to the problem of sexual exploitation and sex trafficking.

The Men of Honour Awards will take place at the Sawmill Banquet and Catering Centre at 3840 76 Avenue. Tickets are $100, with a $55 charitable receipt, and are available through TIX on the Square. All funds raised help CEASE provide specialized programs that help those harmed by sexual exploitation and sex trafficking.

pamela.roth@sunmedia.ca

@SUNpamelaroth