If you are experiencing human trafficking, it is important to know it is NOT your FAULT. Being the Victim of Human Trafficking is often a very traumatic experience but there is hope and help available for you and your family.
Many victims don't realize that they are being trafficked. Human trafficking is a complex issue that impacts both physically and psychologically. It is common for those who have been trafficked to have a hard time identifying as being exploited due to the manipulation used by the trafficker.
If you are affected by Human Trafficking, you may feel:
- Angry
- Guilty
- Shame
- Self blame
- Afraid, cautious or confused
- Worthless or alone
- Sad or depressed
- Anxious
- Like you don't have control
- Like you can't trust anyone
- Conflicted feelings to your trafficker
These are all common reactions to exploitation and abuse, but if you are feeling something else, that is OK too.
We know that the psychological impacts of exploitation, such as anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, combined with feelings of self-blame and guilt, can have long lasting effects on individuals.
It is not uncommon for individuals to also experience the following:
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Drug and Alcohol abuse
- Thoughts of Suicide
- Self Harming Behaviours
- Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIS)
- Homelessness
- Mental Health Impact Factors
Remember, being the Victim of Human Trafficking is NOT your fault.
What you are experiencing is a crime against you and you are not to blame for the trafficker's actions.
Trauma bonding is a psychological response to abuse. It occurs when the abused person forms an unhealthy bond with the person who abuses them.
We know that it is not uncommon for individuals to be lured and groomed with the promise of a relationship. When this happens the bond between the victim and trafficker develops into an intense attachment that is often referred to as trauma bonding. For some this could be the first relationship that they have experienced love and affection. Once a relationship has been established, the cycle of abuse begins alternating between love and affection with anger and violence.
The victim will strive to do whatever it takes to bring the relationship back to the honeymoon phase they experienced in the beginning. After the trafficker becomes angry, they apologize and become affectionate and apologize for what may have happened. In those moments an individual may feel hopeful that things are back to how they were in the beginning however this is sadly not the case.
This vicious cycle keeps an individual in a state of constant uncertainty and hypervigilance. The victim finds solace in the relationship because, while it is abusive, it is also predictable and consistent, and leaving can be difficult and overwhelming.
Signs of Trauma Bonding
The trafficked person may:
- Show gratitude for small kindnesses shown by the trafficker.
- Feel loyal to or defend the trafficker.
- Rationalize violence by the trafficker — believe they can control the level of abuse by being complacent and pleasing the trafficker.
- Have protective feelings towards the trafficker.
- Feel that the trafficker genuinely loves them and cares about them.
- Feel that only the trafficker can help or care for them.
Why do I feel that I can’t leave?
Understanding the way this bond works can help explain why people stay in violent or abusive relationships. The common but harmful question, "Why don’t you just leave?" doesn’t account for the complexity of a trauma bond and the mental reprogramming it requires to break one.
Here are a number of reasons researchers have identified as to why it is so difficult to break a trauma bond:
- Victims may not feel like they are being victimized. In some cases, they feel that being sexually exploited is "normal" because of an adverse childhood experience.
- The trafficker or "pimp" is sometimes viewed as a romantic partner.
- In many cases, the trafficker has essentially brainwashed the victim to the point that they believe they truly care about them and are there to keep them safe, while law enforcement and authority figures cannot be trusted.
- They may be afraid to leave. Even if they were assured that the trafficker will go to jail, they may still feel like they still won’t be able to escape them.
- They may feel like that their situation being trafficked for sex is better than if they were to be free. There might not be enough family or community support to make it on their own.
- There may be cultural norms that ingrain a policy of "don’t talk about it." They may be too ashamed to leave and accept help, when it is normal in their culture to keep abuse a secret.
- Many Survivors, due to low self esteem from childhood abuse or by being exploited in the sex trade believe that they DESERVE to be abused. These victims of trauma feel that they are unworthy of safety, love and healthy human connection.
- Many Survivors feel so changed by their experience of being trafficked that they do not believe that they will ever be able to fit into the ‘real’ world ever again. Due to this belief they feel there is no point in trying to escape from their trafficker.
Signs of Trauma Bonding
The trafficked person may:
- Show gratitude for small kindnesses shown by the trafficker.
- The victim will consistently strive to get the relationship back to how it was in the beginning (the honeymoon phase).
- Feel loyal to or defend the trafficker.
- Rationalize violence by the trafficker — believe they can control the level of abuse by being complacent and pleasing the trafficker.
- Have protective feelings towards the trafficker.
- Feel that the trafficker genuinely loves them and cares about them.
- Feel that only the trafficker can help or care for them.
- This could be the first time the victim has been shown any love, affection or protection in life. The victim will come to view the trafficker as someone who is protective and not exploitive.
- Know what your kids are doing online. Know the usernames and passwords to all of their social media accounts.
- Educate yourself on what social media accounts your child is using (ie Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat etc).
- Ensure that your child’s social media is privatized and that you are aware of who they are adding as "friends".
- Know the phone number(s) your child has and their email addresses.
- Know who your kids are with and where they are hanging out.
- Foster close, loving relationships with your child.
- Encourage conversations with your child centered around having healthy relationships and setting boundaries.
- Help your child build a strong self-esteem from an early age.
- Maintain open communication with your child. Remind them that they can come to you or another trusted adult if they are feeling threatened or need emotional support.
- Create an atmosphere that no matter what is happening your child they can come to you, or come home. Always remind them that their home is a safe place.
- Be aware of the above mentioned signs and indicators of trafficking/grooming and don't be afraid to ask your child questions if you notice these behaviours.
- Make notes of phone calls, license plate numbers, and remember the names of who your child is associating with
- We don't want to teach our children to be afraid. Instead, we should teach them to be mindful that potentially dangerous and unsafe circumstances can occur anywhere, at any time, and to anyone
For more information on how to recognize, respond and react to signs of sexual exploitation please visit:
https://www.childrenofthestreet.com
"Children of the Street’s mission is to take a proactive approach through public awareness, education and early intervention strategies to prevent the sexual exploitation and human trafficking of children and youth, while offering support to families".
Parent Toolkit
https://www.childrenofthestreet.com/parent-toolkit
Published in 2015, this toolkit is designed to educate parents on the issue of sexual exploitation and human trafficking, enabling them to recognize warning signs, safeguard their children against exploitation, and equip them with strategies and tools for managing this issue should it happen to their child.
Download the Safer Space Resource Package
https://www.childrenofthestreet.com/safer-space
This package provide a short guide for parents, caregivers and adults who work with children and youth, to help them navigate apps and recognize the warning signs of online exploitation, and offers resources for support with online exploitation.
Download link:
Online Exploitation Guide (PDF)
Get Cyber Safe
Get Cyber Safe is a national public awareness campaign created to inform Canadians about cyber security and the simple steps they can take to protect themselves online.
Lifeworthy - A SIM Project
10 Huntingdale Boulevard,
Scarborough, ON
Phone: 1-800-294-6918
Website: lifeworthy.ca
Lifeworthy provides and promotes supportive community and spiritual care for sex trafficked victims and their families. Led by John Cassells, Ashley Constable and their team of volunteers, this project provides three main areas of ministry:
- Mentoring and life coaching for young women who have been exploited in the sex industry.
- 'Parents Hope' ministry to provide care for family members of sex trafficking victims.
- Consulting and training churches and para-church organizations for human trafficking related ministries.
- If you have a loved one who is being trafficked or otherwise involved in sex industry activities, Parents Hope is here to support you.
- We offer online peer-led support group meetings as well as individual support.
- There is no fee for services. Parents Hope is a program of Lifeworthy - SIM Canada
- For more information, email Lynda at [email protected] or visit lifeworthy.ca
Online child sexual exploitation is when children are tricked into seeing or participating in online encounters of a sexual nature.
The internet is the most popular and simplest way for young people to be lured and groomed for sexual purposes. When someone with a sexual interest in a child trains them for potential sexual interaction, they are lured online.
Usually it is an adult luring a child online, but it can be someone around the same age as the child or youth.
Traffickers who groom a child or adolescent online may:
- Befriend a child or adolescent over the course of days, months, or even years. It removes the concept of "stranger danger" by posing as a peer, acquaintance, partner, or a friend.
- Use offensive sexual words, exposing children to pornographic videos, or performing sexual acts on themselves in front of the child, traffickers may encourage a child or youth to explore their sexuality.
- The trafficker will use sextortion tactics, where the trafficker will convince a child to engage in sexual activity and take photos or videos of themselves. The trafficker then uses the images to threaten that child.
- The trafficker may also threaten to injure themselves or the child's family if the child abandons them by harming the child emotionally, psychologically, and physically.
Some signs of online grooming are:
- Secrecy about who they are talking to
- Unusual distractedness or preoccupation
- Withdrawing and appearing quieter or sadder or conversely more volatile
- Abrupt mood swings
- Inability to turn off phone resulting in worry or stress
- Switching screens when you come near them when they are on their computer or phone
- Using sexual language you wouldn’t expect them to know or that is not age-appropriate
You MUST begin as soon as your child is able to use the internet or is given technology (cellular phone iPad, gaming device, etc ) to teach your child about being safe online.
- Parents should become familiar with the social media platforms and applications that their children use, as well as online language.
- Discuss online protection, anonymity, setting limits, preserving healthy relationships, and consent.
- Discuss with them the value of not succumbing to pressure and ending contact if they feel threatened.
- Tell them it's ok to come to you or another adult at any time, even if they believe they've made a mistake.
- Remind your child that it is a privilege and not a right for them to have access to the internet in your home. If they abuse this privilege or don’t follow the rules that you have set our regarding its usage they can lose it.
- Set and enforce rules such as prohibiting all cellular devices from the bedroom. This will help ensure that they are not having secretive conversations on their devices late at night.
- Discuss with your children dangerous people, safety rules, body safety, dangerous situations, and create a family "safe word".
For more information on how to keep your children safe online visit:
- https://www.cybertip.ca/, and
- https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/campaigns/online-child-sexual-exploitation.html
For information, resources and tools to help you remove sexual pictures and videos from the Internet please visit:
- https://www.needhelpnow.ca/
- NeedHelpNow.ca, an initiative of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, is intended to provide information to youth who have been negatively impacted by a sexual picture/video being shared by peers. The goal of the site is to offer guidance on the steps you to take to get through the situation and #ChangeTheStory. If you or someone you know have been negatively impacted by a self/peer exploitation incident, we are here to help.
If you believe, your child or loved one is being trafficked into the sex trade you can contact the police and file a report. Advise the attending officer(s) of the information you have relating to your child. All information relating to your child could potentially be important to the police. Provide the attending officer(s) with phone numbers, email addresses, social media accounts and the known associates of your child. The officers will then forward a report to the Human Trafficking Team for further investigation.
The support of family and friends plays an important role in the healing process, whether the Survivor was trafficked recently or years ago. Survivors may feel embarrassed, ashamed and frightened. They may or may not be ready to speak about what happened. Be ready to listen and support them when they are ready to talk.
If you have any suspicions that something isn't quite right or that your child is being sexually exploited, trust your instincts. Take the time to strengthen and expand your relationship with your child by developing and opening lines of communication.
It is important to let them know that you care about them and that they are not to blame for what has happened. No one wants or deserves to trafficked in the sex trade.
For an individual, leaving Human Trafficking may be extremely difficult. Threats from a pimp, being controlled by them, drug and alcohol abuse, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, low self-esteem, and alienation from family can all be obstacles for young people to leave.
They may feel a sense of guilt over what has happened but remember to remind them that it is not their fault. You can be of great help throughout their healing process by giving them this message.
- NO. You will not be arrested for working as a sex trade worker
- It is legal in Canada to sell sexual services independently.
- Independent means being free from any outside control.
- It is illegal to purchase or advertise someone else's sexual services.
- It is also illegal to live on the material benefits that are earned from sex work from someone else.
However it is important to remember that traffickers often coerce victims into participating with them in their crimes.
When a individual is involved in sexual exploitation, either as a victim or as a perpetrator, they may face criminal charges. For example, an individual may unintentionally distribute child pornography, engage in coercion and extortion behaviour, or participate in victim abuse. These actions may result in criminal charges and time in prison.
The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline
Phone: 1-833-900-1010
Email: [email protected]
Website: canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca
Online Chat: https://www.canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca/chat/
If you think you might be experiencing grooming, luring, attempts at recruitment, human trafficking, or believe someone else may be, contact The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline.
Specially trained Hotline Response Advocates are available to talk 24/7/365. Confidential support is available in over 200 languages. The Hotline can connect callers with local emergency, transition, and/or long-term supports and services across the country.
You do not need to share any information you are not comfortable sharing.
The Hotline exists to help and support you.
The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking, a Canadian non-governmental organization and registered charity, operates the Hotline. The Hotline is not a government entity, immigration, investigative or law enforcement agency.
Toronto Crime Stoppers
Toronto Crime Stoppers prevents and reduces crime by partnering with the community, law enforcement and the media to offer anonymity to anyone providing information leading to an arrest or of significant use.
If you wish to report Human Trafficking and remain anonymous you can also contact Toronto Crime Stoppers at:
416-222-TIPS (8477),
online at http://222tips.com or,
text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).
SecureDrop
Toronto Crime Stoppers is committed to assisting law enforcement address the problem of cybercrime by providing inside cyber tipsters with the most secure and anonymous means to submit information through the SecureDrop encrypted submission system.
The SecureDrop Platform set up by Toronto Crime Stoppers uses the Tor anonymity software to protect your identity, location and the information you send us. We do not ask for or require any identifiable information, nor do we track or log information surrounding our communication.
For more information visit:
https://www.222tips.com/SecureDrop
You may also contact the Legal Representation Program and obtain a Human Trafficking Restraining Order against the trafficker.
- It is a court order signed by a judge, when a judge determines that the victim is being trafficked, or is "at risk" of being trafficked and needs protection. It can also be considered a "Protection Order".
- An application has to be brought in court to get a Human Trafficking Retraining Order.
- The Restraining/Protection Order can lay out certain conditions that the trafficker must follow or else he or she will be arrested for breaching a court order.
- For example, a Restraining/Protection Order can include conditions that the trafficker cannot have any contact, directly or indirectly with the victim, cannot attend any place where the victim may be (the victim's home, work, school, shelter, group home), must return the victim's personal items including documents to the police station, cannot possess any weapons, must delete all explicit photos of the victim and cannot post, sell or make them available, etc.
- No. This is a free service provided by the Ministry of the Attorney General.
- A lawyer will be provided, free of charge, and do all the work to obtain the Restraining Order for the victim or the Applicant if the Applicant is not the victim.
- Adult victims who want a Restraining Order for themselves;
- Child victims who want a Restraining Order for themselves;
- Another person, acting on behalf of a Victim to obtain the Restraining Order, when the Victim consents to the Application; and
- Parents or Legal Guardians of a child victim (under 18) who want a Restraining Order to protect a child, with or without the child's consent. (In those cases, the victim is a party to the Application and can oppose it)
- No. The lawyer is bound by Attorney-Client privilege and has to keep communications between the attorney and his/her client a secret
- The lawyer will only provide the police with the information if the client gives permission for the lawyer to do so
- Call the Human Trafficking Help Line: 1-833-900-1010
- Ask to be connected to a lawyer for a Restraining Order
- Email [email protected] – or call or text Kelly Beale at (416) 779-8189
Justice for Children and Youth
Justice for Children and Youth (JFCY) provides free legal services for young people under the age of 18 and homeless youth under the age of 25 in Ontario.
JCFY are a non-profit legal aid clinic that specializes in protecting the rights of those facing conflicts with the legal system, education, social service or mental health systems. JCFY provides summary legal advice, information and assistance to young people, parents (in education matters), professionals and community groups across Ontario.
Justice for Children and Youth
Canadian Foundation for Children, Youth and the Law
55 University Ave, 15th Floor, Toronto, ON M5J 2H7
Phone: 416-920-1633
Ontario Toll Free: 1-866-999-JFCY (5329)
https://jfcy.org/en/
The Ontario Women's Justice Network
The Ontario Women’s Justice Network (OWJN) is METRAC’s legal information website. OWJN tries to help survivors of violence and their supporters better understand legal rights in Ontario. We do not give legal advice. The website offers accessible legal information in a way that reflects the diverse experiences and realities of women. OWJN is a project of the non-profit organization METRAC Action on Violence.
For more information on legal rights please visit:
https://owjn.org/
- If you are in immediate danger call 911
- If the situation is not an emergency you can contact police on the non emergency telephone number at (416) 808-2222
- Non-emergency reports can also be made directly to the either of the following: visit canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca or email [email protected]
- The first responding officer, usually a uniform officer, will come to your location and take brief details about the incident in order to complete an initial report. This will happen in a private setting if possible.
- The officer will also tend to your physical and emotional needs and call for an ambulance if required
- If you are willing to provide a statement, you will then be taken to a meet with an officer from the Human Trafficking Enforcement Team in order to provide a more detailed interview
- If the suspect has sexually assaulted you, a Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK) may need to be completed.
- You are not required to complete the Sexual Assault Evidence Kit. Only if you provide your consent will the SAEK be completed.
- While you are at the hospital, once you have provided your consent a specially trained nurse will complete the evidence kit.
- The nurse will also help address any questions and concerns you may have about sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy.
- The Human Trafficking Team is comprised of specially trained officers who are dedicated to working with victims of Human Trafficking.
- The Human Trafficking Team has created excellent working relationships with many different community groups.
- With an individual's consent the officer can facilitate a referral to a community agency for support.
- This is to ensure the Survivor is safe and arrangements are made to provide ongoing support and housing needs.
- The Human Trafficking Team will take carriage of most cases, conduct the interviews, and provide ongoing communication with each Survivor as the case proceeds through the legal system.
- You do not have to make a statement or answer questions but it will help police investigate the crime.
- The investigators with the Human Trafficking Enforcement Team recognize how difficult it is for you at this time to provide a statement. They will encourage you to provide one but they will recognize that it is your choice if you decide not to.
- The Human Trafficking Enforcement Team are committed to helping you regardless if you choose to make a statement or not.
- Victims often provide important evidence that help police charge the accused person and prevent them from committing the crime again.
- By providing a statement, it will also guide the police to lay charges against your trafficker. By arresting and laying charges on your trafficker, this will help the police to keep you safe.
- Tell the police, in your own words, everything you remember about what happened.
- Sometimes the questions police must ask might be difficult or embarrassing to answer. The Human Trafficking investigator will provide you with support to help you get through your statement and not judge you. If you need to take a break during the statement, the investigator will provide you with as many breaks as you need.
- Try not to leave anything out, even if you don’t think it is important.
- If while giving your statement you need to take a break just tell the officer. You can take as many breaks as needed.
The Crown attorney, the defence counsel, the police, the Judge and the Accused will see a copy of your statement.
Yes, you may change or amend your statement at a later date if you remember something of significance about the crime.
Contact the officer in charge of your case and tell him/her about the details you have remembered.
If the Accused is found guilty or pleads guilty to the charges, the Crown Attorney will ask you to complete a Victim Impact Statement. This document is your opportunity to say how the situation has affected you, your life, both emotionally and physically.
The Judge will consider your Victim Impact Statement when they are imposing a sentence
It is your choice to complete the Victim Impact Statement. You are not required to do so. However, it is very important for the Judge to see exactly how you and your life has been affected.
If you do complete the Statement, the Judge is required to consider all your information before imposing sentencing.
- In Canada, there is no limitation on how long passes before you report it to police. Therefore, you can make the report at any time.
- Based on the information that you have provided, it is at the discretion of the police to investigate and lay charges where they believe on reasonable grounds that an offence has been committed.
A sexual assault is any unwanted sexual contact. Sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, age and cultural background. It includes, but is not limited to, unwanted kissing, touching, penetration or attempted penetration.
Sexual assault can be committed by anyone; as stranger, a friend, a partner, a family member or a person in a position of authority.
If you report being sexually assaulted as a part of your statement the police may ask you to do a Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK).
The process for the SAEK is voluntary, which means that your consent is required. As a Survivor of sexual assault, we support the choices that you make with respect to the process that is best for you.
The following choices are available to Survivors of sexual assault regarding the SAEK:
- It is your choice to have a SAEK done and ask for police involvement.
- It is your choice to have a SAEK done, but request no police involvement. (The kit can be held for up to 6 months, at the Sexual Assault Care Centre, in case you change your mind and want to involve police at a later date).
- It is your choice to refuse the SAEK and still ask for police involvement.
- The kit is a package of envelops, bottles and other containers used to collect and preserve evidence.
- Evidence can be collected from many different parts of the body and at different points in time, the best time to have the kit completed is within 72 hours of the assault.
- The kit is completed by a registered nurse that is specially trained to collect the evidence.
- The kits are conducted at a Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre.
- There are 3 centers that conduct these tests in Toronto:
- Women's College Hospital
76 Grenville Street
Toronto, ON, M5S 1B2
416-323-6040
https://www.womenscollegehospital.ca/ - Scarborough Health Network – Birchmount Campus
3030 Birchmount Road
Toronto, ON, M1W 3W3
416-495-2555
https://www.shn.ca/sexual-assault/ - Hospital for Sick Children
Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Program (SCAN)
555 University Avenue
Toronto, ON
416-818-7500
https://www.sickkids.ca/SCAN/
A Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centers provide emergency care, follow-up health care and counselling to both male and female Victim's of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. The care provided is available 24 hrs a day and includes services such as; crisis intervention, documentation of injuries, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, forensic evidence collection and preservation for release to police, safety planning and referrals for ongoing support.
YourChoice.to
For more information on resources for Survivors of sexual assault, www.yourchoice.to is a one-stop shop for sexual assault survivors to find resources and support service that are accessible to them. Whether their choice is to confide in a friend, go to the hospital, seek legal advise or report to the police, the website is designed to empower survivors to make choices with respect to the process that is right for them. It is not about reporting, it’s about ensuring survivor have enough information to make informed choices on the process that is best for them.
YourChoice.to also includes a 26-page document that provides answers to questions most commonly asked by survivor of sexual assault, which has been translated into 12 different languages.
Evidence is a very important part of any criminal investigation. The evidence collected is used later at trial to assist in proving the case against the alleged assailant.
Evidence can include video statements, cell phones, social media content and other documentation. If you have been sexually assaulted, biological evidence will also be used as evidence.
The Human Trafficking Enforcement Team will make every effort to ensure your safety. Police will provide you with a safe place to stay and your support team will continue to work with you to provide you with shelter and housing options.
The Human Trafficking Enforcement Team will transport you to a safe location and will provide you with a safety plan. This is to ensure that your trafficker will not be able to locate you or communicate with you.
No. Your immigration status will NOT be affected by reporting to the police.
Your privacy is important to us. When an arrest is made in relation to Human Trafficking, the accused’s information and charges are released in a Media Release. The Human Trafficking Team will advise you BEFORE the media release is made public.
Your Name, Personal Details and anything that would identify you as a victim will NEVER be released to the media. Protecting you and your identity is our number one priority.
Once a person is arrested and charged, they become the Accused.
In most cases, Accused persons are held in custody and brought to court for a Show Cause Bail Hearing. This hearing is before a Justice of the Peace or Judge, with a Crown Attorney representing the Victim, and a lawyer representing the Accused.
The Judge or Justice of the Peace will determine if the Accused is to be released on Bail, or Held in Custody and transported to a Jail.
If an Accused is released, there are usually conditions that will be placed upon them, that they must abide by while out on Bail. These types of conditions include, but are not limited to:
- A No Contact Order – directly, or indirectly with the Victim and other named parties, should they be relevant – this means that the Accused, or anyone else at the request of the Crown, cannot contact the Victim, by any means
- The No Contact order – typically includes that the Accused cannot attend any location that you are known to work, reside or attend.
- If the Accused disobeys any of the conditions placed upon them at the Bail Hearing, contact police immediately as this is a direct violation of their release
- If anyone contacts you and threatens or tries to intimidate you into not testifying notify the police immediately. No one can influence you not to provide testimony. They can be arrested for Obstructing Justice if they do.
The Accused will make numerous court appearances before the matter is set for a Trial. The Victim is not required to attend these court dates. These dates are routine and are for preparation for Trial.
The Victim will have to attend court if there is a Preliminary Hearing or Trial.
Cases are never closed. Should the offender not be caught, the information stays open until further evidence comes to light, or the offender is located and arrested.
The Human Trafficking Team will make every effort to arrest and charge the person(s) who have exploited you into the sex trade.
Most offenders do not serve their full sentence in jail. In most cases, the offender will be released from jail on Parole after serving part of the sentence. You can request to be notified of the offender’s release or Parole Hearing.
If the offender is serving a sentence in a Provincial Jail you can register with the Victim Notification System by calling 1-888-579-2888
Choose the option for Victim Notification Service.
If the offender is serving a sentence in a Federal Prison, you can register with the National Parole Board by calling 1-800-518-8817
