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Human trafficking victims come from the community by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 7 | Friday, December 4, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com An anti-human-trafficking campaign will sweep across Halton Sunday (Dec. 6) in a bid to make people aware most victims of the horrific trade in Canada are young women from Canada. The Joy Smith Foundation, a non-profit organization that works to keep Canadians safe from human trafficking, points to a 2014 RCMP report that found most sex trafficking victims are female, Canadian citizens, between the ages of 14-22, and are typically Caucasian. The group said these girls are groomed online or lured into false boyfriend relationships at the local mall or recreational centre. "Sex trafficking is a Canadian issue that is overlooked in the Violence Against Women Agenda. Too many Canadians believe this crime is not happening to Canadian girls," said Joy Smith, former MP for KildonanSt.Paul and founder of the Joy Smith Foundation, in a press release. "Predators target girls with low selfesteem, pretend to be their boyfriend, hook them on drugs, and then quickly escalate to forcing the girls into having sex for money. It is a calculated form of violence against women." On Sunday, the group will recognize Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women by calling on people across Canada to share the #ShesNotForSale video on social media and donate to the Joy Smith Foundation to help rescue and rehabilitate victims of human trafficking. The ominous video, which can be watched on YouTube, shows a variety of faceless men walking through an a dimly-lit hallway toward a room containing a visibly upset girl who is perhaps 14 years old. As the scene unfolds, captions question whether it is taking place in Russia or Columbia or Thailand, but quickly reveals it's in Canada. Another caption notes 93 per cent of Canada's sex trafficking victims are Canadian. As the man reaches to touch the girl the scene fades. "Being bullied in school made me vulnerable. Older boys preyed on me, they made me feel good about myself and got me hooked on drugs and forced me into selling my body for money. I was sexually exploited across the country to make money for my Det. Constable Martin Dick predator," said Jessica Pennock, a sex trafficking survivor, in a press release. "I hope this campaign and video shine a light on the problem in Canada. Parents need to know that their children are at risk." Det. Martin Dick of the Halton Regional Police Service Human Trafficking and Vice Unit said the Joy Smith Foundation's message is accurate, noting the vast majority of human trafficking victims he encounters are Canadian females. He emphasized human trafficking is in Halton, noting, as of Wednesday, police were aware of at least 45 women selling sex in Burlington alone. He said Halton's sex trade takes place, largely, in facilities along the QEW and Hwy. 401 corridors. Dick said the fact most human trafficking victims in Canada are Canadian is something that needs to be communicated, stating education is the best weapon against this modern day slave trade. "If we don't educate our youths, if we don't educate the parents, if we don't educate the public, police officers, medical practitioners, school teachers, social workers then we can't have a positive effect. With education, comes knowledge and with knowledge, comes power," he said. "The perpetrators of this particular crime, target some of the most vulnerable members of our society. When they are targeting our children that is problematic, of course. If we educate our children about the dangers of becoming involved in this particular industry... that these people will try to sell them on a fantasy... this knowledge empowers our youths going forward." Dick said officers from the Human Trafficking Unit have been adding to this education through presentations at local high schools. The unit has also done education in the social services sector and with hotel staff to make these groups aware of what human trafficking looks like so they can report it when they see it. Signs can include people who: · Are unable to present identity documents; · Have no cellphone; · Lack access to their own money and resources; · Work excessively long hours with no or few days off; · Cannot go out unaccompanied; · Are branded with tattoos of the trafficker's name; · Exhibit signs of chronic fear, guilt, shame, distrust of authority; · Have bruises and other signs of physical abuse. While human trafficking is present in Halton, Dick noted his unit's work is yielding progress. "We make it more difficult for traffickers to operate freely within this region," he said. "We are starting to get more feedback that traffickers are a bit more wary about operating here. Not to say that they won't, of course." For more information on the Joy Smith Foundation, visit www. joysmithfoundation.com. Convert you wood burning fireplace with a beautiful gas insert by TRAVIS When purchasing a Travis fireplace you will experience EFFICIENCY, DESIGN and TECHNOLOGY UNMATCHED in fireplaces! Visit us your Masonry and fireplace specialists today! antique hardwo od flo oring Established in 1988, with over 32 years of experience. 290 Speers Road, Oakville www.antiquehardwoodflooring.ca 905-825-8551 406 Speers Rd., Oakville 905-337-2066 | www.cobblestonembers.ca Call today for a free - no obligation quote.