Residents learned some of the signs of Human Trafficking during an awareness session held in Kincardine last night.
The coordinator of the Anti-human-trafficking Committee in Grey Bruce, Chelsea Donohue, says victims have a really difficult time escaping from their handlers.
"Because they're threatening the individual or the people around them. and they're constantly being watched over by someone," she said.
"They're fearful. They think that people aren't going to understand. That they're going to judge them. So, just being a supportive person, being a safe person, and having safe places in the community where people can go is really important to help with battling human trafficking locally," she explained.
Victims are often vulnerable people, who might start acting differently. They become paranoid and isolated. They may look sick or dress inappropriately.
People who suspect a victim of human trafficking should call the police.
Meantime, Ontario announced a new strategy today to combat human trafficking.
Premier Doug Ford, Jill Dunlop, Associate Minister of Children and Women's Issues, and Solicitor General Sylvia Jones released today a new, comprehensive five-year strategy to combat human trafficking and end child sexual exploitation across the province. The new strategy is the largest total investment in dedicated anti-human trafficking supports and services in the country and is a major step forward in Ontario's fight against human trafficking.
"Human traffickers prey on the most vulnerable members of our society, our children," said Premier Doug Ford. "We must put an end to this disgusting industry and take immediate steps to keep our kids safe. Our new strategy takes strong and decisive action to support survivors, raise awareness, and give our police the tools and resources they need to put these criminals behind bars."
Ontario's Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy will invest $307 million over the next five years.
The plan includes raising awareness of the issue by launching a new, province-wide marketing campaign and holding offenders accountable. The province will five law enforcement more specialized Crown prosecution support for human trafficking cases, strengthening intelligence gathering in the correctional system, and investing in police services to help coordinate anti-human trafficking investigations and expand the Ontario Provincial Police Child Sexual Exploitation Unit.
The plan will protect victims by investing in specialized intervention teams involving police and child protection services, incorporating human trafficking awareness into the education curriculum, and establishing dedicated, licensed residences to support victims, including those under the age of 16.
Supporting survivors by investing new funding in wrap-around, community-based supports and Indigenous-led initiatives to make more services available for survivors and by enhancing victim services to assist survivors throughout the court process.
"Survivors of human trafficking require specific, ongoing supports to help them exit trafficking, heal from their trauma and rebuild their lives," said Jill Dunlop, Associate Minister of Children and Women's Issues. "Our new strategy doubles the investment in community-based services for survivors, while also providing a range of new supports focused on children and youth, which has been a critical gap until now. It provides increased supports for Indigenous communities and takes a cross-government approach to reinforce Ontario as a leader in combatting human trafficking."
To address the needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and organizations, and frontline workers, Indigenous-specific initiatives are integrated throughout Ontario's new strategy. Examples of these initiatives include targeted public awareness activities, Indigenous-led community-based supports for survivors such as counselling, cultural teachings and healing ceremonies, victim services delivered by Indigenous communities and organizations, and culturally-appropriate supports for at-risk youth.