Human Trafficking

What is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking does not have to involve crossing borders. And it is not just a foreign problem, it’s happening right now in communities across Canada.

Human trafficking involves, recruiting, moving, or holding victims to exploit them for profit, usually for sexual purposes or forced labour. Traffickers can control and pressure victims by force or through threats, including mental and emotional abuse and manipulation (Public Safety Canada).

The average age of recruitment into sex trafficking is 13 years old.
Over 70% of human trafficking victims identified by police are under the age of 25.
Approximately two-thirds of police reported human trafficking cases in Canada occur in Ontario.

(Government of Ontario)

Signs that a person might be trafficked

Have no choice about hours worked or other working conditions.

Being isolated from family or friends.
Being controlled by threats, force, or deception.
Being driven to and from locations.
Being told to keep in constant communication (given two or more cell phones).
Someone else often speaks for them.
Suddenly receiving expensive gifts.
Earning money but not able to keep it.
No access to own ID.
Being moved frequently, claiming to be “new” or “just visiting”.
Paid an illegal recruitment fee to obtain a job.
Shows signs of fear, anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, or intimidation.
Wear inappropriate clothing for the weather or situation or are traveling with minimal or inappropriate luggage/belongings.

Why don’t they leave?

May have complex relationship with their trafficker.
Do not see themselves as trafficked people.
Unfamiliar with their surroundings and do not know who to trust.
Are embarrassed or humiliated.
May be addicted to drugs.
May be in debt to their trafficker.
Trafficker provides basic needs and shelter.
May have limited language skills.
Fear law enforcement and other authorities.
Do not know that help exists.

Ottawa Police Human Trafficking Unit

As a unit we value the safety, security, and well-being of victims/survivors of Human Trafficking regardless of whether they choose to participate in the criminal justice system or if they wish to receive support to exit. We strive to treat everyone with compassion, dignity, and respect. We seek to minimize re-traumatization by playing an active role in connecting victims/survivors with internal and community supports that best suit the needs and wishes of the individual.

If you, or someone you know, is caught up in the vicious cycle of human trafficking and needs help, please call us. We can help.

humantrafficking@ottawapolice.ca

1-800-292-1168

613-236-1222, extension 5005

Our approach

Meetings at an agreed upon safe and comfortable location.
Officers wear plain clothes and do not have visible police identification.
Trauma based approach-health and healing come before a statement.
Medical/health will always supersede a statement.
Clothing and basic needs readily available from community partners.
Always offer resources.
Work together with service providers.
Make the court process as comfortable as possible by providing access to therapy dogs, transportation, meals, support and advocating for testimonial aid.

Our mandate

Intervention - with adults and youth that are being groomed or starting in the sex trade.
- Victim Support Specialist introductions and intervention
- Police interactions - informal meeting with victims/survivors and investigative probes.
Victim Support - encourage and enable the road to self-recovery for the victims from a physical, psychological and social perspective.
Criminal Investigation and Court Prosecutions - collection of evidence, records, statements and case file preparation, witness preparation and criminal case prosecution at court with Crown Attorney.
Education - provide training to law enforcement, court and professional likely to encounter human trafficking. The priority of education for the goal of increasing identification and appropriate response to human trafficking and victimization.

Embedded Human Trafficking Support Specialist

The role of the embedded Human Trafficking Support Specialist is to provide compassionate, sympathetic, and consistent care and support to HT victims/survivors. Services are provided by a specialist with lived experience.

Resources and community partners