Raising the Volume on Human Trafficking
Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, a day to create awareness and drive action against human trafficking, in all of its forms, across our cities, country, and beyond. As an Ottawa-based organization working with people who are at-risk, are being, or who have been trafficked, we know firsthand that awareness of human trafficking is a vital and important step towards eliminating this crime.
Voice Found provides support for victims and survivors of human trafficking through a number of programs and services. This is an important part of our work; however, we know that prevention is an area of focus to help combat this crime. Today, we are proud to announce “Raising Our Voices”, a learning event designed to educate Ottawa’s communities on the topic of human trafficking.
Members of the public are invited to join any one of the in person presentations happening below to learn the basics of what human trafficking is, including the scope, stages, targeting factors and resources.
Thursday, Feb 29th: 6:30 pm at Jim Durrell Recreation Centre, 1265 Walkley Rd, Ottawa, ON
Friday, Mar 1st: 3:00 pm at The Chambers, Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive, Nepean, ON
In the coming months, we will be adding other live and virtual events.
About Human Trafficking Awareness Day
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day was made official in 2021, 14 years after the House of Commons unanimously condemned human trafficking and modern slavery. Human trafficking remains highly underreported because of multiple factors, including mistrust of authority, cultural differences, gender norms, and understanding what human trafficking is.
What is human trafficking?
Human trafficking is the act of recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of someone by the means of threats, kidnapping, force, fraud, deception or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation, forced labour, or the removal of organs.
Who is affected?
Women and girls are disproportionately affected by human trafficking, but victims and survivors have many faces. Over a quarter of Canada’s trafficking victims are minors, 90% of whom have been sexually abused as children. Detailed statistics are provided by the Government of Canada here
Where does human trafficking happen?
Human trafficking can happen anywhere. Ontario is a hotspot for human trafficking, specifically in urban centres. Contrary to popular belief, victims do not need to be transported or even leave the country to be considered as trafficked. In fact, 93% of Canada’s trafficked victims come from within Canada.
Today, you will see a blue flag for Human Trafficking Awareness Day flying outside Ottawa City Hall, and the ‘Ottawa’ sign in the Byward Market will be lit up in blue.
Take Action
To commemorate National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, here are some tangible steps you can take:
Attend one of the ‘Raising Our Voices’ presentations and learn about human trafficking.
Read our research for the Department of Justice Canada, called “Finding Our Voices: Lived experiences in human trafficking.”
Support our work in delivering vital care to survivors.
Engage in our work by staying connected on social media.
Use Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline to get help for yourself or someone else 1-833-900-1010
To learn even more there is free Online Training Initiative to Address Human Trafficking
Indigenous Anti-Human Trafficking Resources from the Ontario Native Women’s Association
