Human Trafficking Resources
What is Human Trafficking?
The United Nations defines human trafficking as the “recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of a person, – by force, coercion, fraud, or some other form of deception – for the purpose of exploitation.”1 There are three main types of human trafficking which are sex trafficking, labour trafficking, and organ trafficking.
1United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Human Trafficking. https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-Trafficking/Human-Trafficking.html
Our Newest WCDSB School – St. Josephine Bakhita
Our school is named after a truly inspiring individual – St. Josephine Margaret Bakhita (1869-1947). St. Josephine Bakhita is the patron saint of victims of human trafficking and her personal story of suffering, forgiveness, hope, resilience, strength, and love for God will be an inspiration for our students, faculty, and broader school community. She was known for her charismatic personality, gentle voice, and generous smile. St. Josephine Bakhita was Beatified in 1992 and Cannonized (declared a Saint) in 2000. She is the first Black woman to receive this honor in the modern era.
How is Human Trafficking Relevant to Me, My Child, or My Students?
Although human trafficking is a global issue it is also a local issue. Waterloo Region, due to its proximity to the 401 and other major highway networks, is a hotspot for human trafficking. These corridors make it easy for traffickers to transport their victims to larger cities across Ontario and even into Quebec, other western and eastern provinces, and into the United States. Human trafficking is a very secretive crime that does not always happen through abduction as depicted in popular Hollywood films. Traffickers typically develop relationships with their victims to gain their trust and entrap them into their schemes. It is important to know the signs and be aware of the tactics traffickers use particularly to target minors.
How Do Traffickers Target Their Victims?
There are four ways that traffickers entice and eventually entrap their victims which are luring, grooming, coercion & manipulation, and exploitation.
Luring
Requires the trafficker to connect with their potential victim(s) either through social media, mutual friends, or by frequenting areas where they know the victim will be such as schools, malls, sports facilities, etc. During the luring phase the trafficker gathers as much information as they can about their potential victim and ensures that they have the opportunity to make a personal connection with them.
Coercion & Manipulation
Once the victim feels a strong sense of attachment and dependency to their trafficker, the trafficker’s mood shifts into something more sinister and often volatile. The trafficker may make the victim question their love for them and encourage a “win them back” scenario typically involving sexual favours or activities often for money or drugs.
Grooming
The grooming phase begins once the trafficker has made contact with their potential victim and begins treating them in an overly positive way such as showering them with gifts and compliments. Often times the victim is led to believe that their trafficker is a significant other of some kind. The trafficker makes big promises of a better life to their victim while physical intimacy is often introduced. Meanwhile the trafficker continues collecting information about their victim (hopes, dreams etc.).
Exploitation
The trafficker now begins to threaten their victim and convinces them that they owe them financially. Intimidation and control surface where the victim experiences emotional, mental, and physical abuse as well as isolation from friends and family. The trafficker also might begin to threaten the victims loved ones.
What are Some Warning Signs or Red Flags to Look out for?
Knowing the signs is key. With the rise of sex trafficking in Ontario, all educational stakeholders, including youth, parents, educators, administration and support staff can play significant roles in both response and prevention. Announced in 2021, the Ministry of Education mandated all school boards in Ontario to develop anti-sex trafficking protocols as part of PPM 166 to respond appropriately and implement prevention initiatives. There is an urgency to this work, with cases increasing as a result of COVID-19 and intensified online engagement from youth. Here at the Waterloo Catholic District School Board we have increased our awareness campaign with in-class presentations and various educational opportunities for students, staff, and parents. To learn more about our approach you can consult our Administrative Procedures Memo.
Potential Signs of Luring and Grooming
Having a new significant other they won’t introduce to anyone
Skipping school and poor or dropping grades
Low self-esteem and a strong need for approval, love or attachment
Isolation and hostility towards friends or family
Suddenly receiving new clothes, shoes, and electronics from an unknown source
Potential Signs of Sex Trafficking2
Avoidance of eye contact
Fear of authority (teachers, adults, police, etc.)
Being paranoid, submissive, or tense
Signs of abuse (cuts, bruises, malnutrition, etc.)
Having few or no personal belongings
Not being in control of their own money
2London District Catholic School Board. Human Trafficking: Grade 6 Supplementary Lesson Package. Winter 2020.
What Makes Indigenous Peoples Vulnerable to Trafficking?
One in two victims of human trafficking are Indigenous women. Factors to consider:
- Historical and structural inequalities
- Forced displacement by government entities
- Linguistic barriers
- High rates of poverty among Indigenous communities
- High rates of abuse within and outside of Indigenous communities
It should be noted that Indigenous women have experienced particularly demeaning forms of discrimination throughout history which continues to plague them and their communities to date.
From the Papal Desk
From the Papal Desk“Human trafficking is violence! The violence suffered by every woman and every girl is an open wound in the body of Christ, in the body of all humanity, it is a deep wound that also affects each one of us.”
— Pope Francis
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Pastoral Letter on Human Trafficking
Local News about Human Trafficking
If You or Someone You Know May be at Risk of Being Trafficked Please Consult the Resources by clicking the button below:
Resources
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The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline Call: 1-833-900-1010 |
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Waterloo Regional Police Services Non-emergency line: 519-570-9777 In an emergency call: 911 |
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Crime Stoppers – Waterloo Region
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Waterloo Region Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centre
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Victim Services of Waterloo Region
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Salvation Army
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Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region
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Kid’s Help Phone
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