Breaking the Chains of Human Trafficking

There are many stereotypes describing what human trafficking looks like:  It’s only about people coming to Canada in boats. It’s only about women being sold into the sex trade. It only involves foreigners coming to Canada. In reality, human trafficking is about all of these issues and so much more.

Human trafficking is the recruitment and/or receipt of a person through force or other deceptive means for the purpose of exploitation. This can take many forms including sexually exploitation, labour or other forms of service. Where children are involved, there doesn’t need to be force or deception for the activity to be defined as trafficking.

This woman is one of many former trafficking victims that World Vision is supporting in Cambodia.

Every year, thousands of people—men, women and children—are victims of human trafficking in Canada. People living in poverty may be particularly vulnerable to trafficking. Victims may be non-Canadians coming to Canada, or travelling thru on their way to a final destination. They may also be Canadians trafficked to another country or within Canada (i.e. rural areas to urban and/or from one province to another).

But there is hope.

Governments can and should act to help break the chains of human trafficking.

In October, award-winning law professor and policy expert Benjamin Perrin launched his book, Invisible Chains: Canada’s Underground World of Human Trafficking. This month, the Edmonton Justice Network book club will be reading and discussing this important book which exposes this hidden national tragedy.

For more information on Benjamin Perrin, and Invisible Chains, please visit his website endmoderndayslavery.com

Click here to learn more about what World Vision is doing to prevent and address child trafficking.

Advertisement

Tags: child trafficking, Edmonton, March, slavery