Sexual Exploitation
What is Sex Trafficking?
According to the Criminal Code of Canada, trafficking occurs when someone recruits, transports, transfers, receives, holds or harbours a person; or exercises control, direction or influence over the movements of a person for the purpose of exploiting them or facilitating their exploitation.
Sex Trafficking is the use of force, violence, threats of violence, deception, coercion, or emotional manipulation to influence a person to perform sexual acts for money.
Sex trafficking is grossly exploitative and infringes on a person’s human and basic rights such as the right to life, the right to liberty, the right to education, the right to free movement, the right to live in a safe and nurturing environment and the right to be free from abuse.
Reports on sex trafficking indicate that the biggest target population is youth and especially girls between 12 and 18 years old. Nonetheless, it is important to note that anyone can be a target regardless of their gender, culture, religion or socio-economic class.
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THE MARITIMES AND CANADA
It is so easy to imagine that sex trafficking only happens in places so far away from our homes and that perhaps, it is not our problem. Yet, the vice is a growing criminal industry in Canada. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) estimates the number of sex trafficking victims to be in the thousands and that 90% of these thousands are Canadians. This is proof that sex trafficking is indeed our problem. It is happening in our backyards.
From our interactions with different professionals who have worked in the area of sex trafficking over the years, we learnt that Nova Scotia is a recruitment hub. Youth are being trafficked in urban, suburban and rural communities across the province alike. From Nova Scotia, they are often moved to Moncton, and then to Toronto, Montreal, and to other trafficking rings all over Canada.
Open Door Centre is dedicated to eliminating sex trafficking by empowering individuals and communities with protection and prevention knowledge and skills. We hold awareness sessions in schools, churches and other places within communities. Let us know if you would want us to come and talk about sex trafficking in your community.
If you or someone you know needs help Contact us: Call or text (902) 292-9100