Human Trafficking What is it? How do you recognize it? What can you do? By B.C.’s Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons, Ministry of Justice Funding provided by the Department of Justice Victim’s Fund

What is Human Trafficking? Human trafficking is the recruiting, harbouring and/or controlling of a person for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation can include sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, or the forced removal of organs. Domestic trafficking vs. international trafficking.

UN Definition of Human Trafficking ACT Recruit Transport Transfer Harbour Receive MEANS May Include: Threats/violence Coercion Deception/fraud Abduction Abuse of power PURPOSE Forced labour or services Sexual exploitation Slavery/servitude Forced organ removal Exploitation

Forms of Exploitation Sexual Exploitation Labour Exploitation Crime and Petty Crime Forced Organ Removal

Smuggling vs. Trafficking Smuggling Once at their destination, smuggled persons are free to do as they please. Trafficking Once at their destination, trafficked persons are exploited.

Article 1: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Article 4: No one shall be held in slavery or servitude. Human Trafficking is a Serious Human Rights Violation Universal Declaration of Human Rights

2002 Immigration & Refugee Protection Act sections 117 – Criminal Code of Canada sections – Minimum Sentencing for Child Trafficking Laws in Canada

Temporary Resident Permits for Trafficked Persons 180 days of legal status in Canada Access to health and counselling services Work permit Social assistance benefits (BC)

Who is Trafficked in Canada Traffickers Prey on People who are Vulnerable! Factors that create vulnerabilities to sexual exploitation: Being poor Being female A history of violence or neglect A history of child sexual abuse A low level of education

Unique Vulnerabilities of Aboriginal Communities Impact of colonization and residential school abuse Racism and discrimination Moving from a reserve/Aboriginal community to an urban centre Extreme poverty Exposure to physical and sexual violence Families experiencing trauma that carries over from one generation to the next

Nannies / Live in Caregivers Temporary Foreign Workers Vulnerable Workers in Canada

the promise of a good job the promise of a modelling career affection and love offered by trafficker gifts, money, drugs, or other items of value missing in their lives How does it happen? LURING AND GROOMING Vulnerable people are lured and groomed for exploitation by:

Who are the traffickers? Men, women and youth can be traffickers. A 17 year old girl was recently convicted of human trafficking charges in Ottawa. A 7-member family in Hamilton, Ontario was convicted in the trafficking of 19 Hungarian men exploited for their labour. A woman was convicted in Gatineau, Quebec for the trafficking of 3 girls prostituted by force. Anyone can be a trafficker.

The Internet, Social Media and Human Trafficking Compromising images are posted and circulated via social media as a means of exploiting victims. Traffickers use internet and social media to lure and recruit vulnerable people. Cell phones are used to control victims of human trafficking.

* From stories appearing in the Canadian Press, The National Post, CTV News, and The Globe and Mail Human Trafficking in the News * “Human-trafficking trial hears woman forced to work long hours for no pay” “Nanny was ‘virtual slave,’ Crown says at sentencing” “Man charged with human trafficking exploited victims as young as 14: Crown”

Common Indicators of Human Trafficking Fearful or anxious, especially of police Movements restricted or controlled Allows trafficker to speak for them Has no control over their identity documents/passport No control over earnings or money; paid very little if at all Punished through fines/owe money to trafficker

New older friends who provide gifts, drugs, expensive clothing and jewelry Loss of connection to family and friends Drop out of school or miss classes regularly Behaviour changes and mood swings Reluctant to engage with teachers, youth workers, social workers and other adults in their lives Indicators of Child/Youth Trafficking:

Lives and works with a family Expected to be available up to 24 hours a day No days off Little or no pay Movements controlled Indicators of Human Trafficking for Domestic Servitude:

Tattoos or branding by a trafficker to show ownership Substance abuse, drug addiction as a method of control Controlled by cell phone or guard Scars or injuries from abuse Someone else speaks for the trafficked person No control over their money May have expensive items but no basic necessities Indicators of Sexual Exploitation

Lives and works in same location Paid very little or nothing at all Works without safety equipment, or in dangerous situations Depends on employer for housing, food, transportation Limited contact with family and friends Limited knowledge of rights and laws in Canada May have limited English skills Indicators of Labour Trafficking

What can you do to contribute to the elimination of human trafficking? Educate Yourself Report It Raise Awareness Use Your Buying Power

Learn More: OCTIP’s Online Training Human Trafficking, Canada is Not Immune Free! Accessible nation-wide! Any time! Learn to recognize, protect and assist a person who may have been trafficked.

Respond to Trafficking Situations Contact local police/emergency services in cases of an emergency. Learn the indicators of human trafficking. Identify and partner with key services in your community. Explore the OCTIP online Toolkit: Communities Taking Action. Review the OCTIP online training for service providers to learn more about how to assist a trafficked person.

OCTIP Service Model A Trafficked Person May Require Shelter and Housing Legal Services Health Services Emotional Support and Counselling Interpretation Services Government Agencies Police, Crown, Victim Services (where culturally appropriate)

Reporting a Situation of Human Trafficking The RCMP Human Trafficking Coordinator (human trafficking situations in BC) Crime Stoppers TIPS (any crime, anonymous) Cybertip.ca (child sexual exploitation) CALL 911 or Emergency Personnel if Urgent

Services and Supports for Trafficked Persons Coordination of services for trafficked persons and referrals, call (toll-free, 24/7, interpretation available) Temporary Resident Permits for trafficked persons and Work Permits contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada Emergency Services and referrals for all victims of crime in BC/Yukon, call VictimLink BC (toll-free, 24/7, interpretation available) General inquiries and information on human trafficking, contact BC OCTIP office (business hours)

Open Your Eyes to Human Trafficking