World Day Against Trafficking in Persons - 30 July

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery whose victims are men, women and children, forced to provide sexual service or labour, under threat of violence and death against themselves or their families. It is believed that 2.5 million people world-wide are forced into these dangerous and dehumanizing acts in order to survive.

Leah Woolner, a psychosocial counsellor and manager of the Anti-trafficking Programme at the Le Mouvement contre le viol et l'inceste(MCVI) based in Montreal, Quebec explains that: “Many refugees and asylum seekers have been victims of human trafficking in their country of origin and may endure trafficking again during their journey to get to Canada. Once here, newcomers face vulnerabilities to trafficking, as they may find themselves in situations of fraudulent or exploitative labor practices, violence or sexual abuse or all of these combined.

Moreover, survivors play a crucial role in assisting law enforcement officials in prosecuting traffickers but newcomers themselves live under great duress and uncertainty with no secure immigration status, no access to income or financial support, lack of adequate mental and physical health care, all the while living in fear of harm to their families by the traffickers. We must provide greater support and protection for trafficked people in Canada.”

Canada is among many countries who have committed to fighting this crime and protecting the vulnerable communities who fall victim to it. 

To learn more:

• National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking
• Canadian National Trafficking Hotline