What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking involves recruiting, transporting, or holding victims to exploit them or to help someone else exploit them, generally for sexual purposes or work. Traffickers get their victims to comply through different forms of coercion.
In this modern-day form of slavery, traffickers can maintain control over a victim in many different ways. It might be physical or psychological, through manipulation, threats, and the abuse of trust and power.
Signs That Someone is Being Trafficked
| Sex Trafficking | Labour Trafficking |
| Have a new relationship with someone older or richer, perhaps online? Does the new relationship seem to involve manipulation and control? | Have a job offer that seems too good to be true? |
| Receive gifts or cash from a partner for no reason? | Have an employer who makes threats of deportation or reporting immigration status to police? |
| Seem to be in a relationship that has taken a sudden negative turn? | Have an employer that withholds personal identification? |
| Have intimate images of you been shared by someone online with/ without your consent? | Feel their life or those they love could be in danger if they don't work long hours and/or accept a lower wage? |
| Feel intimidated or controlled? Traffickers often control their victim's phone for example, where they go, who they see and can withhold personal identification. | Have to relocate for work with few details and no payment up front? |
Work Conditions Indicative of Labour Trafficking:
- Pay lower than minimum wage.
- Excessive hours of overtime.
- Inconsistent pay days.
- Lack of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Inadequate training.
- No breaks, water, or bathroom facilities.
- Employment of individuals under the age of 15.
Watch this video for more information
Social Media
Traffickers exploit various social media platforms to directly access children and youth:
- Facebook, Twitter, Ask.fm, Whisper, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and more.
- Influencers may lure by promising money or gifts.
- Grooming and celebrity socialites are used to attract victims.
- Vulnerabilities or needs for attention and love are targeted.
Anti-Trafficking Campaigns - Canada
- TruckSTOP Campaign (La campagne TruckSTOP)
- Don’t Become a Victim of the Illegal Trade in Canada brochure campaign
- Here, You Have Rights (Ici, vous avez des droits) poster by the RCMP
Anti-Trafficking Campaigns – International
- Look Beneath the Surface in the United States.
- Blue Blindfold Campaign in Ireland.
- Blue Heart Campaign (La campagne Cœur Bleu).
- The Stop the Traffik.
- The Girls in Red Light District Western Europe.
Law Enforcement (PAST & CURRENT)
- Past: Update National Action Plan (last report in 2012), City of Toronto staff report (2013).
- Current: RCMP anonymous cyber tip forms, National Registry for child sex offenders (accessible only by the RCMP), Cybertip Canada, and Virtual Global Taskforce (online resources for victims).
Prosocial Activities to Combat Human Trafficking
- Learn the indicators of human trafficking.
- Report suspected cases to the 24-hour National Human Trafficking Hotline or call 911.
- Be an informed consumer; know about the origin of products and support ethical companies.
- Encourage companies to prevent human trafficking in their supply chains and make this information transparent.
- Volunteer and support local anti-trafficking efforts.
- Engage with elected officials at local, state, and federal levels.
- Read and share stories about human trafficking worldwide.
- Host awareness-raising events and screen films on the topic.
- Educate youth on recognizing traffickers' tactics and how to seek help.
- Organize fundraisers and donate proceeds to anti-trafficking organizations.
- Advocate for including human trafficking in school curricula.
- Use social media platforms to raise awareness using hashtags #endtrafficking and #freedomfirst.
