Sexual Human Trafficking is defined as: "Every person who recruits, transports, transfers, holds, conceals or harbours a person, or exercises control, direction or influence over the movements of a person, for the purpose of sexually exploiting them or facilitating their sexual exploitation."
Human Trafficking for a sexual purpose is a heinous crime that can render the victim with horrifying physical, social and emotional scars.
Human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry in the world. Human trafficking is the exploitation, manipulation or control of a person (usually a female) by violence or threats of violence to provide a sexual service or forced labour.
You can help put an end to human trafficking. Help identify victims by knowing the signs. Victims may:
- Be unable to present identity documents
- Have no cell phone
- Lack access to their own money and resources
- Work excessively long hours with no or few days off
- Not go out unaccompanied
- Be branded with tattoos of the trafficker's name
- Exhibit signs of chronic fear, guilt, shame, distrust of authority and the inability to make decisions
- Have bruises and other signs of physical abuse.
Victims are alone, isolated and are trapped in a life of exploitation. They have no means to return home or any means to survive. The victim remains dependent on the trafficker for survival and believes the only way she can make money is through prostitution.
Know the Signs!
The following details may assist police in investigations:
- Best details/descriptions of those involved
- Locations
- Nationalities
- Details of any transport used
- Travel routes/methods
- Documents used
- Any financial information
- Method of recruitment
- Methods used to control/manipulate victim.
Remember child trafficking is child abuse.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, please contact Waterloo Regional Police at Intel.HT@wrps.on.ca or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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