July 30, 2024, is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. This campaign focuses on raising awareness of the causes and vulnerabilities associated with human trafficking.
Human trafficking is “the recruitment, transportation, harbouring and/or exercising control, direction or influence over the movements of a person in order to exploit that person, typically through sexual exploitation or forced labour”. 1 It often involves a similar pattern of “luring, grooming, isolation, manipulation, and coercion” 2. Those who are trafficked are often more vulnerable than others. They may have low self-esteem, unstable housing, a history of sexual or physical abuse, or are struggling with substances or mental health challenges. 3
Human trafficking statistics
- 62% of police-reported human trafficking incidences between 2010-2021 in Canada were reported in Ontario
- 96% of victims of human trafficking were women and girls4
- In 2022, 91% of victims were trafficked by someone they knew, and 34% were trafficked by an intimate partner. 5
Trafficking does not present as most would think. A unique bond can develop between the trafficker and the victim, making the victim loyal to their trafficker and reluctant to leave or accept help. Sometimes the victim does not even know they are being exploited. 6 It is important to know the signs that a person is being trafficked, in order to get them the help they need.
Do you know how to spot signs that a person is being trafficked?
In general, a person may be trafficked if they show the following indicators of exploitation and control:
- Sudden interest in a man several years older
- Sudden change in style, such as new clothing, jewelry, or gifts, without having much money
- A new circle of friends and isolation from their old group
- Being controlled by others, such as being driven to and from locations, and escorted at all times
- Avoiding eye contact or having someone speak for them in public places
- Not having forms of I.D. or passports in their possession
- Not having control over their own money or cellphone
- Not being familiar with the neighborhood that they live or work in
- Being moved frequently; claiming to be “new” or “just visiting”
- Not being allowed to contact family or friends
- Providing scripted or rehearsed answers to casual questions
- Showing signs of fear, anxiety, depression, hyper-vigilance or intimidation
- Showing signs of poor health, poor hygiene or malnutrition
- Showing signs of physical abuse and substance dependency7 8 9
Social media is a new tool that traffickers are using to recruit and control victims. It is important to stay vigilant when using social media and monitor children and teens’ accounts to ensure they are as well.
Safety tips to protect yourself from human trafficking online
- Set strict privacy settings on your social media accounts. If your accounts are made public, anyone can see your photos, posts, locations, and other information. Traffickers use this information to recruit victims.
- Beware of strange friend requests. Only accept friend or follow requests from people you know, even if you have friends in common. Traffickers reach out to strangers to chat via social media and slowly work to build a trusting relationship with potential victims.
- Do not overshare. Remember, everything you put online is in the public domain. You no longer have total control over how it is being seen or shared. Traffickers use people’s photos and details to contact, groom, blackmail, or otherwise recruit their victims. Never share personal information, such as your phone number, address, or live location online.
- Beware of advertisements that seem too good to be true. Traffickers often use catchy language in job advertisements online, promising high wages for simple work or a chance to become a model. Traffickers will often be vague about the company’s credentials, details, or your terms of employment. 10
If you suspect someone is being trafficked or have information about a potential trafficking situation, call the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free hotline at 1-833-900-1010. You can also submit a tip online here.
#EndHumanTrafficking
1 Public Safety Canda,About Human Trafficking, https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/cntrng-crm/hmn-trffckng/abt-hmn-trffckng-en.aspx.
2 Human Trafficking Hotline,Sex Trafficking, https://www.canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca/sex-trafficking/#1552385102361-70a64649-5d6f11
3 Ibid.
4 Government of Canada, Human Trafficking isn`t what you think it is, https://canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada
5 Supra Note 1.
6 Ibid.
7 National Human Trafficking Hotline, Recognizing the Signs, at paras 6 and 8 https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/human-trafficking/recognizing-signs
8 The Centre, Signs of Human Trafficking https://www.canadiancentretoendhumantrafficking.ca/signs-of-human-trafficking/
9 Joy Smith Foundation, See the Trafficking Signs, https://traffickingsigns.ca/
10 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Technology and Human Trafficking: Avoid the Trap! https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/endht/2022/internet-safety-tips.html
