Responding to the Phenomenon of Global Human Trafficking of Global Human Trafficking on Canada’s West Coast on Canada’s West Coast

What is Human Trafficking? The transport of human beings for exploitation and profit The transport of human beings for exploitation and profit Global phenomenon that transcends international borders Global phenomenon that transcends international borders Extreme violation of an individual’s human rights Extreme violation of an individual’s human rights 2nd most lucrative source of income for organized crime internationally 2nd most lucrative source of income for organized crime internationally

UN Definition of Human Trafficking …the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons... …the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons... using force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power using force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power …for the purpose of exploitation. …for the purpose of exploitation. UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children. 2000

Definition of Child Trafficking UNICEF states that: UNICEF states that: In keeping with the Palermo Protocol, there is no requirement for coercion, force, deception, abuse of power or a position of vulnerability in order for child trafficking to have occurred. Combating Child Trafficking, UNICEF 2005

Exploitation is... prostitution of others prostitution of others forced labour forced labour slavery or practices similar to slavery slavery or practices similar to slavery the removal and sale of organs the removal and sale of organs UN Protocol to Prevent…Trafficking in Persons

Three P’s of Human Trafficking to Prevent and combat trafficking in persons to Prevent and combat trafficking in persons to Protect and assist victims respecting full human rights to Protect and assist victims respecting full human rights to Prosecute those who engage in trafficking in human beings to Prosecute those who engage in trafficking in human beings

Global Efforts to Address Modern Day Slavery Most European countries, US and Australia have anti- trafficking legislation. Most European countries, US and Australia have anti- trafficking legislation. Numerous International NGOs have developed anti- trafficking campaigns: Numerous International NGOs have developed anti- trafficking campaigns: UNICEF/UNHCR UNICEF/UNHCR International Organization for Migration International Organization for Migration International Red Cross International Red Cross International Labour Organization International Labour Organization Save the Children Alliance Save the Children Alliance World Health Organization World Health Organization

Trafficking vs Smuggling Trafficking vs Smuggling Migrant smuggling occurs with the consent of the smuggled person Migrant smuggling occurs with the consent of the smuggled person AND the smuggled person is free to go once the destination is reached AND the smuggled person is free to go once the destination is reached Victims of Trafficking in Persons are not at liberty in their final destination Victims of Trafficking in Persons are not at liberty in their final destination

Who are the Victims? They are desperate women, men and children looking to escape poverty, war, and violence They are desperate women, men and children looking to escape poverty, war, and violence Traffickers prosper in poor countries Traffickers prosper in poor countries Trafficked persons may enter a country legally as a: Trafficked persons may enter a country legally as a: Visitor Visitor Student, or with a valid Work Permit Or they may enter a country illegally using clandestine methods and routes of travel Or they may enter a country illegally using clandestine methods and routes of travel

Identifying a Trafficked Person Evidence of being controlled Evidence of being controlled Bruises or other signs of physical abuse Bruises or other signs of physical abuse Fear/depression Fear/depression No passport/identification/documentation No passport/identification/documentation KEY: Exploitation and Loss of Liberty KEY: Exploitation and Loss of Liberty

US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report Annually grades all countries on efforts to address human trafficking Annually grades all countries on efforts to address human trafficking Creates 3 tiers and imposes trade sanctions on those in Tier 3 Creates 3 tiers and imposes trade sanctions on those in Tier 3 Canada Tier 1 for 2006 but criticized for lack of services for TP’s Canada Tier 1 for 2006 but criticized for lack of services for TP’s

Canada’s Response to TIP Immigration and Refugee Protection Act Immigration and Refugee Protection Act Human Smuggling &Trafficking sections Criminal Code Criminal Code Trafficking in Persons Offences Citizenship and Immigration Citizenship and Immigration Human Trafficking Interim Guidelines

BC’s Ministry of Children and Family Development: Migrant Services Program Established in 1999 following the arrival of boats off BC’s west coast Established in 1999 following the arrival of boats off BC’s west coast 134 ‘unaccompanied minors’ traveling without parents or legal guardian 134 ‘unaccompanied minors’ traveling without parents or legal guardian Majority became legal wards of BC’s child protection system Majority became legal wards of BC’s child protection system

Migrant Services Program Assumes legal and financial responsibility for all unaccompanied minor children entering BC Assumes legal and financial responsibility for all unaccompanied minor children entering BC Coordinates specialized services: Coordinates specialized services: legal guardianship housingeducation health care legal representation

Ministry of Children & Family Development Mandated to ensure the safety and well being of BC’s children and youth Mandated to ensure the safety and well being of BC’s children and youth Over 9000 children in MCFD care at any one time Over 9000 children in MCFD care at any one time 4000 employees providing child protection, guardianship, mental health and youth justice services 4000 employees providing child protection, guardianship, mental health and youth justice services

Human Trafficking Response Initiative Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General lead Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General lead Extensive network of community agencies Extensive network of community agencies Provincial ministries Provincial ministries Federal jurisdictions Federal jurisdictions Law enforcement Law enforcement

Referrals in ▪ CIC / CBSA ▪ NGOs ▪ VictimLINK ▪ Law Enforcement ▪ Provincial Government Trauma Counselling/ Victims Assistance NGOs Advisory Group Service Providers Funders / VictimLINK Law Enforcement Lead Agency Overall Care Coordination TraffickedPerson Emergency Income Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance Health Care Community Based Health Care Providers Vancouver Health Authority/Bridge ClinicHousing Safe Houses / Transition Houses / NGOs Legal Assistance Legal Aid

Human Trafficking References Guide to the New UN Trafficking Protocol WHO Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Interviewing Trafficked Women pdf pdf U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons Report – June Look Beneath The Surface: Community Responses to Human Trafficking in Persons: A Gender Rights Perspective, Briefing Kit Independent Evaluation Unit: Evaluation of the Global Programme Against Trafficking in Human Beings

THANK YOU BC’s Human Trafficking Response