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Human trafficking can be described as modern-day slavery involving the recruitment, transportation, or harbouring of persons for the purpose of exploitation, typically in the sex trade or through forced labour.
Human trafficking exists in two main forms in Canada:
Unfortunately, it is a lucrative criminal enterprise and traffickers are actively recruiting every day in Canadian urban and rural areas, and across provincial borders. It’s a growing Canadian problem that goes largely unnoticed because victims are first lured by false trust and then stripped of their ability to make decisions so that they are ultimately controlled by threats, coercion and manipulation.
Knowledge is our greatest protection. The more we know and understand about human trafficking, the more we can do to prevent it.
When we know who is most vulnerable the signs to watch for, we can all take steps to prevent it from happening. Educate yourself about the issue, how to recognize who’s at risk and how to effectively intervene when you suspect something isn’t right.
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We know that youth, women and men fall victim to this crime. Human trafficking happens in every neighbourhood across Canada. It happens to people of every age, race and income level. Less than a kilometre from where you live today, someone is being trafficked.
Statistically, those most likely to be at-risk include:
Women and girls; migrants and new immigrants; LGBTQ2+ persons; persons living with disabilities; children in the child welfare system; at-risk youth; those who are socially or economically disadvantaged; and
Migrant workers may be particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse due to many factors, such as language barriers, working in isolated/remote areas, lack of access to services and support, and lack of access to accurate information about their rights.
Signs of sex trafficking:
Signs of forced labour:
Traffickers are skilled at luring and influencing, and they use various methods to gain and then maintain control over their victims. Grooming is a process whereby predators work to gain the trust of the victim while isolating them from family and friends. Control is kept through physical violence, sexual assault, and emotional abuse or manipulation. Victims may face severe consequences if they refuse to comply or attempt to escape. Traffickers clearly violate the basic human rights of their victims.
If you suspect an individual is the victim of human trafficking, report it to the police immediately. Police do not reveal who reported the concern and will look into it immediately.
Educate yourself so that you can keep talking and sharing factual information about the issue of human trafficking. The more awareness we can create, the more people we can empower to make change.
Volunteer your time for the Joy Smith Foundation and become part of the fight to end human trafficking in Canada. We need volunteers with all levels of experience!
Donate to the Joy Smith Foundation and your support will go towards our education, intervention and prevention programs.
The Joy Smith Foundation is Canada’s leading authority on the prevention and intervention of human trafficking and also provide support for survivors of this horrific crime.
Edmonton: 911 or for non-emergencies 780-423-4567
Child Abuse Unit Edmonton: 780-422-2001
Calgary: 911 or for non-emergencies 403-266-1234
Child Abuse Unit Calgary: 403-428-2211
Edmonton or Calgary Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-8477
Crisis 24 hours Edmonton: 780-482-4536 (HELP)
Calgary Main Crisis Line: 403-266-4537 (HELP)
Distress and Suicide Prevention Line of Southwestern Alberta: 1-888-787-2880
Alberta One Line (For sexual violence): 1-866-403-8000
Alberta Health Services Addiction and Mental Health Support: 1-866-332-2322
Family Violence Info Line: 310-1818 (no area code provided)
Vancouver: 911 or for non-emergencies 604-717-3321
Surrey: 911 or for non-emergencies 604-599-0502
VictimLinkBC: If you or someone you know has been a victim of human trafficking, you can get immediate support and referrals to services in B.C. by contacting 1-800-563-0808 or 604-660-5199 (Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons)
VictimLinkBC: Toll free, confidential, multilingual service available across B.C. 24/7 and can be accessed by calling or texting 1-800-563-0808 or sending an email to VictimLinkBC@bc311.ca.
It provides information and referral services to all victims of crime and immediate crisis support for victims of sexual violence, including victims of human trafficking exploited for labour or sexual ser vices.
Suicide Crisis Line Association of BC: 1-800-784-2433
Alcohol & Drug Information and Referral Service: 1-800-663-1441
- For Lower Mainland: 604-660-9382
Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre (For Mental Health and Substance Use Issues): 1-800-665-1922 For Lower Mainland: 604-875-2084
Call VictimLinkBC to find a shelter near you: 1-800-563-0808. (Phone number also covers victims needing help in the Yukon)
Child Exploitation: If you are aware of a child at immediate risk of online sexual assault or exploitation, call 9-1-1 immediately or call the Winnipeg Police Service at 204-986-6222.
Counter Exploitation Unit: Investigations regarding human trafficking, street prostitution, escorts, and massage parlours, etc. 204-986-6250.
Manitoba Justice Victim Services supports victims of serious crimes. This includes victims of domestic violence and other serious crimes, such as murders and sexual assaults. They also provide support to child victims, witnesses, and families of murdered and missing Indigenous persons. Toll-free: 1-866-484-2846
Crime Stoppers: A cooperative program between the local media, citizens, and the police designed to involve the public in the fight against crime.
204-786-8477 or Toll-Free: 1-800-222-8477
Manitoba Human Trafficking Hotline: 24/7 Support and counselling to trafficked persons, and anyone else affected by trafficking such as service providers, family, friends, and co-workers.
1-844-333-2211
Manitoba Suicide Prevention and Support Line: 1-877-435-7170
Klinic Crisis/Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 204-786-8631 or Toll-free: 1-888-292-7565
Manitoba Addictions Hotline: 1-855-662-6605 (Adult) or 1-877-710-3999 (Youth)
Manitoba Provincial Crisis Line: 1-877-435-7170
Main Street Project: 204-982-8267
Siloam Mission Hannah’s Place Emergency Centre: 204-956-4344
Fredericton Police: 911 or for non-emergencies 506-460-2300
Saint John Police: 911 or for non-emergencies 506-658-4455
Victim Services Fredericton: 506-444-5716
Saint John/Hampton/Sussex: 506-658-3742
New Brunswick Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)
Fredericton Sexual Assault Centre 24 Hour Crisis Line: 506-454-0437
Addiction Centres – Department of Health: 506-674-4300
Social Assistance Housing and Homelessness: 506-453-2001
St. John’s: 911 or for non-emergencies 709-729-8000
Victim Services Newfoundland and Labrador: 709-729-7970
Mental Health Crisis Line 24 Hour: 1-888-737-4668
Sexual Assault Crisis Line 24 Hour: 1-800-726-2743
Addiction Services – Department of Health and Community Services: 709-729-3658 or 1-888-737-4668
THANL (Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador): 709-739-6759
Yellowknife RCMP: For emergencies 867-669-1111 For non-emergencies 867-765-3900
Child and Family Services (Yukon, Nunavut and NWT): 1-800-661-0408 Ext. 3002
Hospital-Based 24-Hour Crisis Line: 867-920-2121 Toll free: 1-800-661-0844
Mental Health and Addictions Dept. of Health and Social Services: 867-767-9061
Department of Health and Social Services: 867-873-7037 or 1-800-661-0844
Keeping Women and Children Safe 24/7 Crisis Line: 1-866-223-7775
Halifax: 911 or for non-emergencies 902-480-5020
Integrated Human Trafficking Team (Not monitored 24/7): 902-490-5142
Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Team 24/7: 902-449-2425
24/7 Crisis Line: 1-888-429-8167
Mental Health and Addictions Services – Nova Scotia Health: 1-888-429-8167
Shelter Nova Scotia Central Office: 902-406-3631
Iqaluit Police: 911 or for non-emergencies 867-979-1111
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline 24/7 and Confidential: 1-833-900-1010
Kamatsiaqtut Nunavut Helpline 24 Hours: 867-979-3333 or 1-800-265-3333
Kamatsiaqtut Nunavut HelpLine 24 Hours: 867-979-3333 or 1-800-265-3333
Contact Nunavut Family Services for the Nearest Shelter: 867-975-5722
Ontario Provincial Police: 911 or for non-emergencies 1-888-310-1122
Toronto: 911 or for non-emergencies 416-808-2222 - Human Trafficking Enforcement Team
Ottawa: 911 or for non-emergencies 613-236-1222 -Human Trafficking Unit
Crime Stoppers Toronto: 416-222-8477 (TIPS)
Ontario’s Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-833-999-9211
Mental Health Help Line: 1-866-531-2600
Connex Ontario (For Mental Health and Addictions): 1-866-531-2600
Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses: 416-977-6619
Charlottetown: 911 or for non-emergencies 902-629-4172
Victim Services:
- Queens and Kings Counties: 902-368-4582
- Prince County: 902-888-8218
Chrysalis Human and Sex Trafficking Support Line 24/7: 1-866-528-7109
PEI Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)
Island Helpline 24/7: 1-800-218-2885
Addiction Services – Health PEI: 1-888-299-8399
Anderson House (Island Wide): 902-892-0960
Chief Mary Bernard Memorial Women’s Shelter: 902-892-9242
Quebec City Police: 911 or for non-emergencies 310-4141 (for municipalities without 911 service)
Montreal Police: 911 or 514-393-1133
Info-Crime Montreal: 514-393-1133 (confidential calls)
SOS Violence Conjugale 24/7: 1-800-363-9010 or Text 438-601-1211
Provincial Helpline for Sexual Assault: 1-888-933-9007
Portage Quebec (A Canadian non-profit organization that helps people suffering from substance abuse-related problems to overcome their dependencies and live healthy, happy, and productive lives):
Montreal and surrounding area: 514-527-2626
Elsewhere in Quebec: 1-800-265-2626
Dans La Rue – The Bunker Emergency Shelter for Youth: 514-524-0029
Saskatoon: 911 or for non-emergencies 306-975-8300
Regina: 911 or for non-emergencies 306-777-6500
Saskatchewan ICE Unit (Internet Child Exploitation Unit): To leave tips - 639-625-4247
Toll free National Human Trafficking Hotline Saskatchewan: 1-866-528-7109
Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)
Crisis Suicide Helpline: 306-525-5333
Child Abuse Line: 306-569-2724
Adult Sexual Assault Helpline: 1-800-214-7083
Health Line, Ministry of Health: 811 or 1-877-800-0002 / 306-766-6600
Saskatchewan Health Authority Mental Health and Addictions: 306-655-7777
Saskatchewan Addiction Services: 1-877-909-3636
24 Hour Domestic Violence Crisis Line and Shelter: 306-693-6511
RCMP: 1-866-677-7267
Whitehorse Police: 911 or for non-emergencies 867-393-6791
Whitehorse: 1-800-661-0408 Ext. 8500
Child and Family Services: 867-667-3002 or Toll Free (Yukon, Nunavut and NWT) 1-800-661-0408 Ext. 3002
Women’s Transition Home (Betty’s Haven and Kaushee’s Place) 24 Hours Confidential: 867-668-5733
Mental Wellness and Substance User Services – Health and Social Services: 867-456-3838 or for Yukon, Nunavut and NWT 1-866-456-3838
Call VictimLinkBC to find a shelter near you: 1-800-563-0808. (Phone number also covers victims needing help in the Yukon)