CW: Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking and Labour trafficking
I define Human Trafficking as when someone is manipulated into or forced into performing labour with little or no pay, usually with some from of transportation from their home to gain further control. This include all forms of labour including sex work.
These all happen in Canada, the US and not just far away places. “93% of Canada’s sex trafficking victims are Canadian born” (JoySmithFoundation.com) Note, Statistics are likely somewhat inaccurate as human trafficking often goes unnoticed, so all data is from the times people agreed to talk to researchers, helpers or authorities.
Signs of Sex Trafficking:
Sudden changes in behaviour and appearance
Expensive gifts or extra money that cannot be explained
Someone won’t let them be alone, often much older person or “boyfriend.”
You can tell they are struggling from their appearance like seeming malnourished, lacking personal possessions, inappropriately dressed for age or weather or signs of injury or abuse
Social interactions seem stiff, rehearsed
Trusting your gut
Signs of Labour Trafficking:
A job offer that seems too good to be true
Threats of deportation or reporting immigration status as means to control
Withholding personal identification like passports
Threats to loved ones
Relation with few details and no payment upfront
Inhumane working conditions
You can make a difference!
Notice the signs
Talk about it
Empower survivors (note if you try to “rescue” them without consent you may be replicating controlling behaviours and making them feel less safe… unless they are under 18 then you have a legal duty to report to CFS and police)
Teach about oppression and that people are not objects
At Because It Scares Me, I believe in not labelling an adult’s experience for them, so will never say all sex work is exploitation. I can never know more about someone else’s experience than they do.
Resources:
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-833-900-1010
Canadian Crisis lines
Manitoba:
General Crisis: 204-786-8686
Manitoba Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-844-333-2211
Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 204-786-8631
BC Crisis Line Association of BC: 1800SUICIDE
Calgary Distress Centre Calgary: 403-266-HELP
Edmonton Crisis line: 780-482- HELP
Regina Crisis line: 306-525-5333
Saskatoon Crisis line: 306-933-6200
Eastern Ontario Crisis line: 1-866-996-0991
Durham Region Crisis line: 1-800-452-0688
Ottawa Crisis Line: 613-238-3311
Toronto Crisis line: 416-408-4357
Quebec Crisis line: 1-866-APPELLE, text 1-855-957-5353 or chat at suicide.ca
New Brunswick Helpline: 1-800-667-5005
Nova Scotia Crisis line: 1-88-429-8167
Prince Edward Island Island Helpline: 1-800-218-2885
Newfoundland & Labrador Crisis line: 709-737-4668
Yukon Canadian Mental Health Association: 1-844-533-3030
NWT Help line (7pm to 11pm) 1-800-661-0844
Nunavut Awareness Centre Crisis Line: 867-982-0123
Sources:
Joy Smith Foundation
Canada.ca
Blair Rhodes (2021) Canadians ‘shockingly unaware’ of human trafficking, says national organization, CBC News https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/atlantic-canadians-shockingly-unaware-of-human-trafficking-1.6275475