Human trafficking remains a concern in communities across Saskatchewan, and Estevan is no exception. Warren Morrical, the Estevan Police Service Deputy Chief, emphasized the importance of awareness and reporting suspicious activity.
"Human trafficking affects absolutely every community across the nation, certainly across our province," Morrical said. "One of the things that I'm very proud of Estevan for is that we, as a community, are not afraid to report when we find or observe suspicious behavior."
Morrical noted that Estevan does receive reports from concerned community members. "Typically, those reports come in as concerns for the well-being of individuals. Either people are worried about someone's physical well-being, or they have specific concerns that the person may be a victim based on what they know of human trafficking," he explained. "Our role is to investigate, follow up, and try to confirm both the identity and well-being of the people reported to us."
When asked what individuals should do if they feel targeted, Morrical acknowledged the complexity of the issue. "Human trafficking comes in all forms. It could start with someone pretending to care about an individual, but that relationship can change into one of coercion," he said. "The trafficker may attempt to control them through threats or violence, either for sexual exploitation or forced labor."
He stressed the importance of being cautious. "It's hard to say exactly what a person should do in every situation, but being aware is key. Be mindful of people's intentions toward you and avoid situations where someone could take your belongings and use them as leverage. Also, be aware that there are individuals out there who profit from trafficking others," Morrical said.
For those who are approached or suspect they are being targeted, Morrical's advice was straightforward: "If you are concerned that someone is attempting to traffic you, contact your local police service immediately. Report whatever occurred in as much detail as possible, and police will investigate and connect you with resources."
Human trafficking remains a difficult crime to detect, but Morrical reiterated that vigilance and community awareness are crucial in preventing it. "We rely on the public to report anything suspicious, and we take those reports seriously," he said.