Voice Found supports Ottawa Tourism’s Anti-Human Trafficking Action Plan
This February 22nd marked the third annual National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Canada. This day creates awareness and drives action against human trafficking, in all of its forms, across our cities, country, and beyond. Voice Found was proud to recognize the occasion by joining Ottawa Tourism and Meeting Professionals Against Human Trafficking (MPAHT) in an announcement sharing Ottawa Tourism’s new Anti-Human Trafficking Action Plan.
Alongside President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism, Michael Crockatt, and Sandy Biback of MPAHT, Voice Found shared our commitment to supporting Ottawa Tourism’s three-pronged efforts in combating human trafficking. Ottawa Tourism has committed to the following in consultation with Voice Found, MPAHT, and The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking:
1) Increased access to information and resources, including digital resources for the public, Ottawa Tourism members and businesses, meeting planners and event organizers.
2) Enhanced training to ensure all types and sizes of tourism businesses and their teams have access to appropriate education.
3) Surveying stakeholders to create an accurate understanding of existing efforts.
As the capital city's destination marketing organization, Ottawa Tourism holds a unique position in influencing not just the local community but also visitors from around the world. This initiative signifies Ottawa's dedication to being a responsible and compassionate capital, setting a precedent for other cities to actively combat human trafficking.
Founder and CEO, Cynthia Bland, and Case Manager and Lived Experience Specialist, Sarah Tunstall, spoke to the importance of this announcement.
Speaking to our experience as a leading anti-human trafficking organization in Canada, Cynthia Bland shared, “As an organization on the front-lines, we know just how much this work is needed. While awareness is vitally important, taking action is paramount.”
“This action plan will make a positive difference by bringing this topic into the open. Many times trafficking is sensationalized in the media with inaccurate portrayals of victims. This training and action plan are based in reality, making it effective in the identification of victims and providing concrete actions for support,” said Sarah Tunstall.
We are excited about the collaborative efforts between Voice Found, Ottawa Tourism, MPAHT, and The Centre in implementing this action plan. The commitment to combating human trafficking is not just a responsibility; it's a collective effort to create a safer and more compassionate environment.
We invite you to stay updated on our progress and engage with the full announcement shared on LinkedIn by Ottawa Tourism. Together, we can make a lasting impact and set an example for other cities to actively join the fight against human trafficking.
