While in university, students are fearless. We’re all here to learn, yes, but most importantly to experience new things and to open ourselves up to new perspectives so we can finally figure ourselves out, beyond the narrow views our relatives and hometown friends may have imposed on us. We truly get to become who we want to be versus who others think we should be. This is why the people you surround yourself with are so important and why you should step out of your comfort zone and live.
However, there’s this gigantic elephant in the room nobody wants to discuss and consider; a very real risk we are constantly exposing ourselves to without even being aware of it.
Human trafficking is a thing in Canada, even in our boring small-town-like city.
Now, before you hit on your mental breaks and ask me to take a chill pill, because “I have an app that lets my friends virtually follow me when I walk home AND I know three [limited] moves to defend myself”, let me explain a few things…
This article focuses on human trafficking, which includes sex trade but is not limited to it. Human trafficking is not voluntary. The victim is exploited for labour or services and is stuck in this modern-form of slavery.
Men and women of all ages can be victims, but there are particular traits collegiettes have that make them more prone to being taken advantage of. We are trying to figure ourselves out, often believe we are misunderstood and have an eagerness to take risks that may put us in danger. Being away from home often leads some of us to be completely alone in a new city; we have a hard time making close friends and sometimes can’t make ends meet. There are various types of collegiette profiles that make us vulnerable to take the bait of predators who may present tempting offers.
Some of you may think the signs are obvious, but it only takes that one decision when you tell yourself “YOLO” while in a bad emotional and/or financial state, and you find yourself in a terrible situation. Honestly, you might be totally happy and content with your life, but are sometimes a bit too careless. It’s as simple as getting in a limousine or vehicle with young men who seem harmless to go to a “fun after party”, or you accept to meet with a stranger who may indicate shady intent but you’re not keeping an eye out for the indicators.
Most recently, there were human trafficking charges laid on two individuals in London, Ontario on November 10th, 2015 related to the escort website “Fantasy World Escorts” (Global News).
Back in early September, an Ottawa man faced 76 human trafficking charges for organizing a prostitution ring (Ottawa Sun).
And another one that hits close to home was the Ontario-wide human trafficking case back in June. Ove 100 women were interviewed, which led to the rescue of 20 people, most under 19 years of age, who were forced in the sex trade (CBC, Huffington Post).
The fact that traffickers were often in their 20s is what striked me the most from these cases. They’re people we could easily be entertaining relationships with. They’re young, manipulative people who will prey on others’ weaknesses to benefit from them, and the victims won’t see them coming because they don’t look like predators.
Another way women, and men, can become victims to human trafficking is when they fall for a “loverboy” (realistically could also be a lovergirl). The latter is a term widely used in Europe as a human trafficking phenomenon. These people manipulate their lovers into exploitation and then force them to stay in the trade through threats, violence and other means.
The thing is, human trafficking is hard to detect and prove beyond doubt, especially when victims don’t speak up for fear of retaliation, not to mention it is rarely brought to the attention of authorities. Police forces around the world have only started to scratch the surface of this intricate network and the profits generated are estimated to be US$ 31.6 Billion per year (ILO, 2005). According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, trafficking of human beings is the second largest and fasting growing criminal industry (UNHCR, 2010).
The RCMP published the report Human Trafficking in Canada: A Threat Assessment back in 2010, and it stated “Domestic human trafficking victims have mostly been recruited through the Internet or by an acquaintance. The victims were groomed, manipulated, and coerced to enter the sex trade.”
Even more interesting are the following two key findings from RCMP’s report Domestic Human Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation in Canada (October 2013):
- “Victims are female, Canadian citizens, between the ages of 14 and 22 years, and are typically Caucasian”
- “In recent years, individuals with relatively stable backgrounds are increasingly becoming victims of human trafficking.”
Therefore, human trafficking victims in Canada aren’t only foreign nationals contrary to what many believe, and Canadians of all backgrounds can fall victim to the network. On December 14th 2015, The Toronto Star published an investigation they did on the domestic sex trade that is called “The Game” by pimps, victims and police officers. The report Beaten, branded, bought and sold gives a glimpse of the harsh realities trafficked victims in the sex industry have to live through. However, I do have to warn it isn’t for the faint of heart.
The purpose of this article isn’t to scare you but to ensure you are aware of the very real dangers that exist out there. And the best part? You can protect yourself. Whether you’re in your home country or in a human trafficking hub, be smart and be aware of your surroundings.
Be wary of attractive work opportunities. If they sound too good to be true, they probably are.
Going abroad? Register with the Government of Canada to let them know and if it’s for a work opportunity, make sure to contact the country’s embassy to ensure it is legitimate. Furthermore, always keep a copy of your passport and any other ID cards in a safe place in the event they are stolen to have control over you.
Be wary of strangers! Don’t give your address, full name and contact information to a stranger too quickly. If they seem too inquisitive (i.e. asks if you live alone), take a step back and assess the situation.
Finally, if you have a bad feeling, listen to your sixth sense and don’t put yourself at risk.
We all need to be vigilant in our day-to-day activities. It’s not about being scared and second-guessing someone’s intent when they approach you on the street, but being able to notice the indicators and avoiding putting yourself in dangerous situations. It’s about being safe.
Human trafficking is a very intricate issue and I urge everyone to familiarize themselves with this criminal network so we can hopefully one day eradicate it.
If you want to know more, Europol published The Trafficking in Human Beings Financial Business Model (October 2015) which discusses the laundering of funds and financial investigations surrounding human trafficking.
Sources:PSSG, UNHCR 2010, RCMP 2010, UNODC 2012, RCMP 2013, EUROPOL 2015, The Freedom ProjectBelser, Patrick, Forced Labour and Human Trafficking: Estimating the Profits. Working Paper 42, International Labour Office: Geneva, 2005
Picture SourcesCover Picture, 1