Anti-Human Trafficking
Benefits
Youth are afforded more opportunities to express helping behaviors in other social spheres beyond the family context
- Mood-boosting effects
- Social support benefits
- Stress-reducing effects
Signs That Someone is Being Trafficked
| Sex Trafficking | Labour Trafficking |
|---|---|
|
Have a new relationship with someone older or richer, perhaps online? Does the new relationship seem to involve manipulation and control? |
Have a job offer that seems too good to be true? |
|
Receive gifts or cash from a partner for no reason? |
Have an employer who makes threats of deportation or reporting immigration status to police? |
|
Seem to be in a relationship that has taken a sudden negative turn? |
Have an employer that withholds personal identification? |
|
Have intimate images of you been shared by someone online with/ without your consent? |
Have intimate images of you been shared by someone online with/ without your consent? |
|
Feel their life or those they love could be in danger if they don’t work long hours and/or accept a lower wage? |
Feel their life or those they love could be in danger if they don’t work long hours and/or accept a lower wage? |
|
Feel intimidated or controlled? Traffickers often control their victim’s phone for example, where they go, who they see and can withhold personal identification. |
Have to relocate for work with few details and no payment up front? |
Work Conditions Indicative of Labour Trafficking:
- Pay lower than minimum wage.
- Excessive hours of overtime.
- Inconsistent pay days.
- Lack of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Inadequate training.
- No breaks, water, or bathroom facilities.
- Employment of individuals under the age of 15.
Social Media
Traffickers exploit various social media platforms to directly access children and youth:
- Facebook, Twitter, Ask.fm, Whisper, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and more.
- Influencers may lure by promising money or gifts.
- Grooming and celebrity socialites are used to attract victims.
- Vulnerabilities or needs for attention and love are targeted.
Law Enforcement (PAST & CURRENT)
- Past: Update National Action Plan (last report in 2012), City of Toronto staff report (2013).
- Current: RCMP anonymous cyber tip forms, National Registry for child sex offenders (accessible only by the RCMP), Cybertip Canada, and Virtual Global Taskforce (online resources for victims).
Anti-Trafficking Campaigns – Canada
- TruckSTOP Campaign (La campagne TruckSTOP)
- Don’t Become a Victim of the Illegal Trade in Canada brochure campaign
- Here, You Have Rights (Ici, vous avez des droits) poster by the RCMP
Anti-Trafficking Campaigns – International
- Look Beneath the Surface in the United States.
- Blue Blindfold Campaign in Ireland.
- Blue Heart Campaign (La campagne Cœur Bleu).
- The Stop the Traffik.
- The Girls in Red Light District Western Europe.
Prosocial Activities to Combat Human Trafficking
- Learn the indicators of human trafficking.
- Report suspected cases to the 24-hour National Human Trafficking Hotline or call 911.
- Be an informed consumer; know about the origin of products and support ethical companies.
- Encourage companies to prevent human trafficking in their supply chains and make this information transparent.
- Volunteer and support local anti-trafficking efforts.
- Engage with elected officials at local, state, and federal levels.
- Read and share stories about human trafficking worldwide.
- Host awareness-raising events and screen films on the topic.
- Educate youth on recognizing traffickers’ tactics and how to seek help.
- Organize fundraisers and donate proceeds to anti-trafficking organizations.
- Advocate for including human trafficking in school curricula.
- Use social media platforms to raise awareness using hashtags #endtrafficking and #freedomfirst.
