Human trafficking is a global crisis, and In Canada between 2012-2022, there were just under 4,000 police reported incidents with 528 taking place in 2022 alone.
“It’s getting worse as the years go by,” said Deborah Logue, the Executive Director of Victim Services Huron Perth. “It’s broadening out to our rural areas, and they tend to be recruiting grounds for trafficking victims, who then get moved to communities along the 410 corridor.”
Victim Services along with other support agencies stress that social media has really changed the landscape when it comes to human trafficking.
“You can reach out and meet anyone in the world remotely,” said Logue. “ Share with people you love, you family and children that you don’t have to post every single detail about your life online. When you share all of this information, you open yourself up to people being able to locate you in real life.”
In a world where everyone seemingly has a device in their hands, how can you ensure your family and children are safe? It starts with noticing the signs.
“Isolation is a big sign, if your child stops telling you what they are doing,” said Logue. “If they start showing up with unexpected gifts they can’t explain, a second cell phone is another way traffickers keep tabs on victims.”
Logue recommends having that hard conversation with your children and loved ones about safety, including not posting locations on apps.
“Social media is an ego thing for us, and we get instant gratification,” said Logue. “Most people only have a small number of friends, the rest of people they know are acquaintances, so you don’t need to have your entire high school on social media.”
Victim Services provides non-judgmental and confidential emotional support and practical assistance to survivors of crime or tragic circumstances, including those who have experienced domestic violence and even human trafficking.
Logue says that each client is unique and so to are their experiences so there isn’t a one size fits all solution, but it starts with safety.
“A lot of times victims have been cut off from their loved ones, so we try and rebuild that relationship,” she says. “Sometimes that means helping get people back to where they use to live, and other times that is providing formal resources locally. We look at the challenges victims may now be facing, and it could range from no housing, no money no food, even to no access to identification. People who are able to flee a human trafficking situation usually need to be connected to some sort of housing, and some support programs, not right into an individual living situation. Each client is different but safety is paramount.”
Human trafficking is not just a big city issue either. Statistics show that from April 1 to now, Victim Services Huron Perth has supported 17 people.
“Obviously that is a lot for our rural community,” said Logue. “Keep in mind this is only the people who came forward and were able to identify what was happening to them. A lot of people believe the person trafficking them is in love with them, or is their pimp or protector. Unfortunately a lot of people just want to be loved and they get suckered in by these traffickers.”
To learn more about human trafficking and its impacts locally visit https://victimserviceshuronperth.ca/.
