Today marks Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Ontario

The province is marking today as Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

It says the threat of this crime is especially concerning for young women and girls, who are most often targeted. Although anyone can be a victim, children and youth are among those highest at risk. The province says the average age of recruitment into sex trafficking is 13-years-old.

“Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes around the world,” said Jane McKenna, the Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues in a statement. “It’s a serious issue here at home that we must address as, sadly, the majority of police-reported incidents in Canada happen in Ontario.

The province says it is encouraging Ontarians to learn more about how trafficking happens, what the warning signs are and where to go for help.

Ontario has a five-year Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy which focuses on raising awareness of the issue, protecting victims and intervening early, supporting survivors and holding offenders accountable.