Human Trafficking in Canada

In Ontario, most reported cases of human trafficking involve sexual exploitation, which may also be referred to as child sex trafficking.

Human trafficking has had a devastating impact on many children, youth and families in Durham Region, including some served by Durham CAS. As such, we provide support for those affected in collaboration with our community partners. We provide resources and protection services for affected children, youth and families, and we support advocacy efforts to combat human trafficking.

What is Human Trafficking?

“Human trafficking” refers to the recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring or receiving of an individual for the purpose of sexual labour or exploitation. This is done by means of deception, fraud, coercion, abuse of power, payment to others in control of the individual, threats of force, use of force, or abduction.

Those at high risk of being trafficked include:

• Children and youth involved with Children’s Aid Societies
• Indigenous women and girls
• 2SLGBTQIA+ persons
• Homeless and marginalized youth
• Persons living with disabilities
• Persons facing barriers to accessing housing, supports, and basic needs

We provide resources and protection services for affected children, youth and families, and we support advocacy efforts to combat human trafficking.

If you or a friend is involved with someone who exhibits any of the following characteristics. please seek help.

• Promises things that seem too good to be true
• Buys expensive gifts or likes to flash their money
• Creates distance between you and your family or friends
• Suggests that they know how to help you make a lot of money
• Encourages you to engage in illegal activities to achieve your goals or dreams
• Introduces you to sex, sexting, porn or strip clubs
• Has money, but are vague about how they obtained it
• Gets pushy or demanding about sex
• Wants to take suggestive photos, encourages you to model or dance for money
• Makes you feel responsible to pay him/her back, help him/her financially
• Becomes abusive (verbally, physically, psychologically)

If you are concerned for your own safety or that of a friend, please call us at 905-433-1551. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.