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1 1 | Friday A u g u s t 1 1 , 2 0 1 7 | O A K V ILLE BEA VE R | w w w .in s id e h a lto n .c o m Halton seeks cash for rescued human trafficking victims by Kathryn Boyle Metroland West Media From my personal perspective, Halton Region has applied for funding to help rescued hum an trafficking victims get back on their feet. Last month, regional staff responded to a call-out from the provincial government asking human service providers for ideas and approaches on dealing with the issue of human trafficking. "I think the size and scope is becoming better and better understood and known," Alex Sarchuk, Halton's commissioner of social and community services said. "It's really quite shocking." In its proposal, one of the aspects the region included was working alongside some community providers, such as Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS) and the Halton Collaborative Against Human Trafficking (HCAHT) in hopes of including local support. "This is a newly understood issue," Sarchuk said. "We w ork with a variety of services ... and we've established a brand new consortium: who can we reach out to, who we can talk to who have a part of a possible solution." "The real benefit that the Region brings to it is that we are funded by the Ministry of Housing, for a variety of somewhat similar programs, and we have a pretty good track record here," he said. Another aspect included in the proposal was a request for five permanent rent supplements to support the needs of rescued trafficked women, which would include other services, such as life-coaching and mental health services, to increase the stability in their life. "As these young women, or girls, are identified, and become involved with the police, then we're able to offer a supportive housing environment, which would be housing with mental health and life-coaching it's a real tragedy that young women and girls are coerced into these situations and are victimized in this horrible way. Their circumstances are quite unique and their reintegration and support to become part of the community is important to us. We know.... that secure housing is really a crucial element to their long-term success. W Alex Sarchuk Alex Sarchuk Halton Region Commissioner o f Social and Community Services supports wrapped around them," Sarchuk explained. "We have a lot of experience working "We'll take care of the housing stability with the community in supportive housing, whether it's people with mental health issues part," Sarchuk explained. "SAVIS and the or people exiting the criminal justice system ," other (groups) would be tending to the health he said. "We know there is long-term success predicated upon getting them suitably housed and not leaving them on their own." Earlier this year, statistics were released regarding human trafficking, including the age range being 13-18 years, and that 93 per cent of trafficked survivors are from Canada. In Halton, hum an trafficking occurs m ost com monly at the 401 and 403 highways because of the access to hotels, and that came as a surprise to regional staff. · Pebble Concrete · Stamped Concrete Nothing has been approved yet, but the Region hopes to hear from the Province · Interlocking · Flagstone · Walkways this summer. If granted, part of the Region's · Garage Floors · Patios · Driveways responsibility is to identify suitable private· Curbs (French) .....--- m arket rentals for the women leaving the trafficking situation and providing monetary BA EU M LER relief in order for the person to pay the rent. and social needs of the individuals." Each person's story is different, so when a rescued wom an is need of this assistance, the region would look at what is affordable, and connections to family and social networks. Currently, Sarchuk isn't sure whether or not the housing would accommodate family members. "I'm not sure we've come across that," Sarchuk said. "We would look at it on a caseby-case basis, and if that m akes sense and is in the highest likelihood of their success, then we would certainly look at that." The Region is looking forward to hearing from the Province, and in Sarchuk's opinion, the project could greatly benefit members of the community. "From m y personal perspective, it's a real tragedy that young women and girls are coerced into these situations and are victimized in this horrible way," he said. "Their circumstances are quite unique and their reintegration and support to become part of the community is important to us. 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