Survivors of the horror of human trafficking spoke out Friday in hopes their stories will generate action.
Law Assistance of Windsor (LAW) and its WeFight Project, which provides resources for victims and survivors of human trafficking, held a panel discussion at Community Living Windsor as part of the second annual observance of Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
The purpose of the talk was to allow survivors to discuss how human trafficking affected their lives, and how they were able to escape it.
LAW and Victim Services of Windsor-Essex County also provided valuable information on how people can recognize human trafficking, as well as how they are working with law enforcement and other community partners to help survivors.
Victoria Morrison grew up in a middle-class family in Windsor, and attended university before she fell in with the wrong crowd and ended up on the streets. She began a relationship with a man who took her in after she stayed in a women's shelter, believing it would lead to a better life. She soon realized that it would not be the case.
"I had recurring thoughts that I would never see my family again, being at the hands of my abuser. There was no way out, no one to save me or help me out of the situation. I wondered what other people thought when they saw me," said Morrison.
Morrison was able to escape her trafficker by persuading a "john" she was serving to take her to the police. Eventually, she found help and worked her way back to Windsor where she was provided resources to get her back on her feet. Now she speaks freely about her experience to help others.
Tamas Miko, who also participated in the panel, was made vulnerable because of his unemployment situation in his native Hungary. He said his case began ten years ago, and that one thing to remember about human trafficking is that people can unwittingly fall into the trap instantly.
"This woman came to our house, and she knew I was unemployed," said Miko. "So, she said 'Oh I have a brother in Canada, he can give you a job'. And I'm like 'OK, let's call him and talk to him.' It only took a couple of days, to be honest."
Miko, when he was not working or being watched constantly, spent months hidden away in a dark room with no running water or toilets. He was eventually rescued by police in 2010.
WeFight has not only become an advocate for those being forced into what is termed modern-day slavery, but also for those forced into the sex trade, indentured servitude, and forced marriage.
As a crime, there are three elements in human trafficking, which involves recruitment and harbouring; the means, as in how it is being done such as through coercion, fraud and use of force; and the purpose, typically sexual exploitation, forced labour and even organ harvesting.
WeFight said it is important to understand that human trafficking is always involuntary because even when there is consent, it is usually done through fraud or deception.
Complete information on the crime of human trafficking and the resources used to help victims is available on WeFight's official website, or by calling (519) 256-7831.
