Human Trafficking remains a prevalent issue in Canada, threatening the lives of individuals across the country.
According to a report from Statistics Canada, between 2011 and 2021, over 3,500 incidents of human trafficking were reported by police.
Myron Hleck, Provincial Human Trafficking coordinator with the RCMP, stated that females are typically the most at risk.
“Younger females, girls anywhere from the age of 12 to 13, all the way up to the early 20’s,” he elaborated.
The results from Statistics Canada also indicate that (96%) of victims were women and girls, while 8 in 10 accused persons were men and boys.
Hleck noted that one of the main ways individuals have been targeted in recent years has been through the internet.
“It's kind of gone indoors, it's a lot of internet base now,” he elaborated. “It's that internet safety type of thing, be careful of who you are communicating with on social media. That's where a lot of the grooming and exploitation has taken place.”
He added that while individuals can be targeted anytime or anywhere, being near the Trans-Canada Highway is something to be aware of.
“A lot of times the people that are being trafficked are being moved from community to community, to community to community,” he explained. “So, obviously, the major corridors throughout Saskatchewan, where there's a hotel on the major corridors, that might be a definite place where this is taking place.”
Individuals should be aware of their surroundings, trust their gut, and report any suspicious behavior to the police.
According to the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking, warning signs that someone may be a victim of human trafficking include the following:
- Being controlled by others, driven to and from locations, and escorted at all times
- Being controlled and watched by others, having someone speak for them in public
- Not having a passport or other forms of I.D. in their possession
- Not having control of their own money or cellphone, may have more than one cellphone in their possession
- Passport and ID documents confiscated by others
- Not being allowed to contact family or friends
- Lying about age/false ID
- Providing scripted or rehearsed answers to casual questions
- May be in possession of excess cash outside their financial means and have hotel keys
- Act in a fearful, anxious, submissive or nervous manner, excessive concern about displeasing partner/employer
- Fearful of law enforcement or immigration services
For more signs of human trafficking, click here.