Human Trafficking
What is human trafficking?
Human trafficking/sexual exploitation is distinct from sex work. Sex work is a term used for the wilful, deliberate decision to exchange sexual acts for money. Sex workers keep the money they earn, and can stop whenever they choose.
Human Trafficking is:
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Forced Labour
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Domestic Servitude
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Removal of Organs
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Sexual Exploitation
The most common form of trafficking in our community is sexual exploitation.
Human trafficking is the world’s fastest growing criminal enterprise. Globally, more than 41 million people worldwide were victims of modern slavery in 2019, according to the International Labour Organization.
Human trafficking is defined under the criminal code:
279.01 (1) Every person who recruits, transports, transfers, receives, holds, conceals or harbours a person, or exercises control, direction or influence over the movements of a person, for the purpose of exploiting them or facilitating their exploitation is guilty of an indictable offence and liable.
279.011 (1) Every person who recruits, transports, transfers, receives, holds, conceals or harbours a person under the age of eighteen years, or exercises control, direction or influence over the movements of a person under the age of eighteen years, for the purpose of exploiting them or facilitating their exploitation is guilty of an indictable offence and liable.
Who is at a greater risk of being trafficked?
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Women and girls
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Indigenous women and girls
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Individuals new to Canada
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Victims of abuse
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Youth living in foster care
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Individuals facing homelessness
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Members of the LGBTQ2S+ community
Click here to learn more about the Trafficking of Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada
Know the signs:
A trafficking victim can be in the grooming or courting, luring, manipulation, or exploitation phase. They are most often lured into human trafficking through promises of a better life, money, or love. Victims and traffickers refer to human trafficking as 'the game'. Often, victims of human trafficking do not realize that what is happening to them is a crime, and do not recognize it as human trafficking.
A trafficker may use manipulation tactics including lies, threats, isolation, intimidation, violence, confiscating identification, creating addiction, and psychological abuse.
Signs Include:
Someone might be a victim of human trafficking if they:
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are not allowed to speak for themselves and their activities are controlled by someone else
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are under 18 and involved in prostitution or sex work
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are unpaid or paid very little to work and seem to be treated poorly
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are repaying a debt through labour or sex
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seem fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, nervous or paranoid (they may avoid eye contact or seem fearful around police)
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show signs of abuse, such as bruising, cigarette burns or fractures
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have tattooing or branding symbols, particularly names
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don’t have their own belongings or money, and don’t control their own passport or other documents
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seem malnourished or lack medical care
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move frequently and may not know their surroundings well
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have been reported missing
Someone might be being groomed for sex trafficking if they:
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are withdrawing from family and friends
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are being secretive about their activities
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have a new boyfriend, girlfriend or friend who they won’t introduce to friends and family
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suddenly spend time with an older person or people
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begin staying out more often and later
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are absent from school or there is a decline in school performance
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begin wearing more sexualized clothing
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have new clothing and jewellery that they can’t afford to buy
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suddenly have a new or second cell phone with a secret number
Source: Ontario: Human Trafficking, 2020
Make the Call:
To Report Human Trafficking:
If you don't want to or aren't ready to report to the police but you'd like to speak to someone about Human Trafficking, you can speak confidentially with Sudbury and Area Victim Services: 705-522-6790
In an Emergency: call 911
Non-Emergent Reporting: Greater Sudbury Police 705-675-9171
Sudbury Crime Stoppers: 705-222-8477
Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-833-900-1010
The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline offers a confidential, multilingual service, operating 24/7/365 to connect victims and survivors of forced prostitution and forced labour with social services and/or law enforcement in communities across Canada.
You can also submit tips, concerns or questions about human trafficking through www.canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca
*If you're a service provider or agency representative looking for more information or training, please contact us at 705-522-6970 or info@savs.ca
