‘I took her seriously’: Settlement advisor recounts abuse allegations in trafficking case

A settlement advisor who supported a woman at the centre of a human trafficking case testified this week that the woman disclosed details about her employment and living situation, including a lack of access to food, water and communication, as well as alleged coercion and sexual violence.

The witness, Jody Campbell (Armstrong), told the court she first met the woman at her office in March 2023. She said the woman, who had come to Canada on a closed work permit tied to a specific restaurant job, later disclosed being relocated to multiple Saskatchewan communities, facing surveillance, and experiencing physical and psychological control.

While the woman never used the words “sexual assault,” the witness said she described being forced to perform “sexual tasks” under threat of deportation or harm. She also claimed that the woman was denied access to her phone, left alone for hours, and was closely monitored by her employers.

The witness testified that she advised the woman on options related to immigration status, including the possibility of applying for an open work permit based on vulnerability. She did not independently verify the woman's claims but said she took them seriously and referred her to appropriate services.

The court also heard that video surveillance, threats of sharing footage, and restricted movement were mentioned as methods of control. The woman’s case is part of a broader investigation involving alleged abuse of foreign workers in Saskatchewan's hospitality sector.

Proceedings are set to continue in September.