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The Government of Ontario has pledged to spend $72 million over four years in an effort to combat human trafficking. The province says the money will help investigate and prosecute cases, boost support for victims and aid in prevention measures.
“Our province is a major centre for human trafficking. Of all the cases reported to police across Canada 65% happen in Ontario.” Tracy MacCharles.
Most of the victims of human trafficking are young women and children. Elisabeth Zimmerman works for the YWCA and knows it first hand. “It’s happening everywhere and they’re as young as 11 and 12.”
She says young people are being groomed and recruited by their peers and it’s so subtle they don’t realize what’s happening until it’s too late. That’s why the prevention aspect of the governments plan is the most significant one to her. She believes education is the key. “When they talk about what grooming looks like girls will be saying; wow yeah that’s it’s happening to me and I didn’t even know it”.
In Hamilton a 16 year old girl was charged in February with human trafficking after police say she recruited 3 other 16 year old girls into the sex trade. All four of them attended high schools in the Hamilton area.
The province plans to create an office that will enhance sharing of information among police, social services, child welfare and other sectors and support services for indigenous people.
