www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, February 12, 2014 | 4 Sheridan conference to shine light on human trafficking by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff Organizers of a human-trafficking conference, to be held at Sheridan College on Valentine's Day (Friday), hope it will get people thinking about what many are calling a modern-day slave trade. It is hosted by Sheridan's social service and child and youth worker peer mentors and will begin with an 11 a.m. flash mob protest of human trafficking at the college's learning commons. The conference itself begins at noon in the McdonaldHeaslip Theatre. Fiona Mueller-Carrera, a social-service worker, peer mentor and event lead, said anyone can attend, however, the conference is specifically geared to students whose careers may bring them into contact with human trafficking. "We wanted to really focus on the students in police foundations, social service workers, child and youth workers, early childhood education and educational assistants because, being service providers in the field, we thought it would be most educational for them to have some insight and resources available so they can identify potential victims or those who could be at risk," she said. Mueller-Carrera noted human trafficking is not just happening far away in Thailand or Hungary, but is present in Canada. Late last month, two Mississauga men were arrested on human trafficking charges after Halton police were called to investigate a reported theft at an Oakville hotel. An investigation led police to believe an 18-year-old woman at the hotel was allegedly being exploited for the purpose of human trafficking. A few days earlier, a 22-year-old Angus, Ont. woman was arrested after Halton police rescued a 15-year-old girl who was allegedly being forced to work in the sex trade out of a Burlington hotel. Those who attend the conference will hear from such keynote speakers as Halton Police Human Trafficking and Vice Unit Det. Const. Martin Dick. Varka Kalaydzhieva of the charitable organization FCJ Refugee Centre will discuss human trafficking on a global scale. Shae Invidiata and Katarina MacLeod of the local anti-human trafficking group free-them will also present. Fiona Mueller-Carrera said with girls as young as age 12 at risk, awareness needs to find its way into the elementary school curriculum. Fine cabinetry for anywhere in your home. S 905-632-0029 February Special FREE Family Owned & Operated Since 1976 DRYWALL Don't BIN IT Don't DUMP IT DELIVER IT for recycling NEW WEST GYPSUM RECYCLING upgrade to plywood interiors on complete kitchens ordered before February 28th 2014 uniquekitchensofburlington.com 4150 South Service Rd. Located just off the QEW at 2182 WYECROFT ROAD, OAKVILLE Pos itivel ive y Affecti Open to the public ng Where We L 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday Closed Weekends and Holidays LEED certification Rate: $57.50/Tonne www.nwgypsum.com Any amount acceptable 905-847-0520 EVERY MOTHER HAS A STORY TO TELL. THANKS TO YOU IT CAN BE TOLD. At Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, talented physicians like Dr. Santina Andrighetti help care for moms and babies every day. Their expertise plus the life-saving equipment you help fund make it possible for young families to have the best, healthiest start possible. Each and every year, our hospital needs hundreds of pieces of new equipment that will improve the lives of all of us here in Oakville. Every piece is critical and every piece needs to be funded by our community. It all starts here with your help. Please call 905.338.4642 to share your story or make a donation. www.oakvillehospitalfoundation.com DR. SANTINA ANDRIGHETTI OTMH OBSTETRICIAN & GYNAECOLOGIST