Human Trafficking
In Ontario, most reported cases of human trafficking involve sexual exploitation, which may also be referred to as sex trafficking.
Child sex trafficking is child abuse. It is inhumane and illegal. Child sex trafficking is the act of luring, coercing, forcing, or manipulating a child under the age of 18 into sexual activity either through online or in-person contact with or without the apparent consent of the youth in exchange for basic needs, drugs and/or alcohol, or financial gain on the part of the perpetrator. Youth involved in child sex trafficking may be coerced or forced into trafficking themselves, trafficking others, or both.
According to Ontario’s anti-human trafficking strategy, the average age of recruitment into sex trafficking is 13 years old, and over 70% of human trafficking victims identified by police are under 25 years old.
Those at high risk of being trafficked include:
- Children and youth involved with Children’s Aid Societies
- Indigenous women and girls
- 2SLGBTQIA+ persons
- Homeless and marginalized youth
- Persons living with disabilities
- Persons facing barriers to accessing housing, supports, and basic needs
If you have concerns for a child related to trafficking, please call us at 705-726-6587 ext. 2236, 705-888-0232 or 705-791-9164 . If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police service.
Community Partners
In Simcoe Muskoka Region, we actively collaborate with community partners to raise awareness, identify risks, intervene early, and provide support and care for survivors. Collaborative initiatives with our community partners include:
- Updated Sex Trafficking Protocol with York Regional Police in partnership with Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services and Jewish Family and Child Service
- Model of family-based care for children and youth at risk, or when sex trafficking is suspected or confirmed
- Piloting of a Screening Tool to identify children and youth at risk of sex trafficking
Our Community Partners
- Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services
- Jewish Family and Child Service
- York Regional Police Special Victims Unit Human Trafficking Section
- York University, Department of Psychology, Teen Relationships Lab
- U-R Home Awareness & Support Services
- Women’s Support Network
York CAS - Barrie Police Anti Human Trafficking Unit
- OPP
- Barrie Women and Children Shelter
- Rosewood
- My friend’s house
- Child Advocacy Center
- OUR place (Owen Sound Women’s Center)
- Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline
- BridgeNorth
- Gilbert Centre
If you need support or help, there are community services available. Reach out to any of the partner agencies listed. Here are links with additional information:
- Learn about what human trafficking is, how it can happen
- Learn about where to go for help
- Contact the Human Trafficking Hotline
Contact us at human.trafficking@familyconnexions.ca if you have any questions
Want to make a difference? Join or donate to our Steps for Safety event!
The Steps for Safety: Walk to end Sex Trafficking is a family-friendly walk taking place on Saturday, September 20th.
Funds raised through the event will directly support our local anti-human trafficking initiatives. Every day, we receive calls about local children, youth, and families being trafficked or at risk of being trafficked. Human trafficking targets primarily young adolescents, as young as 13 years old. These are traumatic offenses affecting the family down the street, your child’s classmate, and the teenager who attends high school around the corner. Through our anti-human trafficking initiatives, our goal is to ensure safety, stability, and a hopeful future for our friends and neighbors most at risk in our community.
The event will begin and end at Fort Willow. Participants can choose to walk 2.5 or 5km. There will be supported rest stops along the way and a tasty celebration meal at the finish line.
Join the walk today and help us raise our goal of $40,000 to make a significance difference in our community!
