Joy Smith Foundation
Media Kit

Background

The Joy Smith Foundation is Canada's leading authority on human trafficking prevention, intervention and support for survivors. Through strengthened criminal laws, enhanced community awareness and compassionate support for survivors, we’ve made a real difference for people from across the country. Founded in 2011 by Joy Smith, the Foundation is now led by her daughter, Janet Campbell.

The Joy Smith Foundation work is focused in two areas:

- Provide educational programs to youth, parents, first responders, educators, human trafficking survivors, community leaders and those working in the justice system

- Assist survivors and their families to restore their lives by getting them the support they need to heal and integrate back into their communities

JSF mission is to ensure that every Canadian woman, man, and child is safe from manipulation, force or abuse of power designed to lure and exploit them into the sex trade or forced labour.

National Human Trafficking Education Centre

In 2021, The Foundation launched the National Human Trafficking Education Centre (NHTEC). We firmly believe that education is our greatest weapon to end human trafficking. Through educating at-risk populations and broadly sharing the signs to watch for, people will learn who might be vulnerable and how to effectively intervene.

NHTEC is a unique online hub that offers a wide variety of educational courses to help Canadians understand and fight human trafficking. The NHTEC is dedicated to comprehensively addressing human trafficking on a national scale.

The Centre’s diverse range of courses and material is composed of two streams – Prevention and Intervention. NHTEC’s Intervention and Prevention programs are delivered in a variety of formats including webinars, seminars and online training courses. In addition, programming can be delivered using both self-guided and/or instructor-led formats. Programming can be delivered in person or virtually.

Leadership

Janet Campbell - President and CEO

Janet Campbell has been an integral part of The Joy Smith Foundation since its inception, serving as a dedicated volunteer. In 2021, she assumed the position of President and CEO.

Janet draws daily inspiration from her role leading the Foundation. She acknowledges the immense strength exhibited by victims and survivors of sex trafficking, individuals who have endured unimaginable abuse and horrors. Their resilience and strength, demonstrated by their very survival, serve as a constant source of motivation for Janet.

Janet recently spearheaded the "See the Trafficking Signs" campaign, a compelling national awareness and education initiative aimed at preventing Canadian youth from falling victim to the sex trafficking. This campaign enlightens the public about the common signs that someone may be at risk of being groomed and coerced into sex trafficking.

The campaign included signage for the most common signs of human trafficking. These signs were seen across Canada on billboards, digital signage posted in public bathrooms, community centres, schools, and business places and extensive media coverage.

Beyond her involvement with the Foundation, Janet boasts extensive experience in guiding the growth of various technology and service-based organizations. This wealth of business acumen enables Janet to approach the complex issue of Canadian human trafficking with innovative perspectives, providing effective solutions for survivor rehabilitation and public education.

Joy Smith - Founder

Joy Smith’s journey, and the history behind the Foundation, are testimony that the actions of one individual can make a difference for so many others.

Joy jumped into action after learning no laws yet existed in Canada to protect victims, or to bring perpetrators to justice. She decided to run, and won, a seat in the Manitoba Legislature in 1999. In 2004, she became a Member of Parliament and made Canadian history as the first sitting MP to amend the Criminal Code twice, strengthening sentencing for traffickers and expanding Canadian laws to reach internationally.

In 2011, Joy founded the Joy Smith Foundation and with the help of volunteers and supporters, continues to advocate and raise awareness for this important issue across Canada and around the world.