Human Trafficking And How To Fight It
Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing crimes worldwide and is a serious criminal offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. Often described as modern-day slavery, this crime robs its victims -who are mostly women and children- of their most basic human rights and is occurring in Canada and worldwide.
According to the Goverment of Canada, this crime involves the recruitment, transportation, harbouring and/or exercising control, direction or influence over the movements of a person in order to exploit that person, typically through sexual exploitation or forced labour.
Between 2010 and 2020, there were 2,977 incidents of human trafficking reported by police services in Canada. This represented an average annual rate of 0.7 incidents per 100,000 population. Human trafficking related charges have been on the rise for almost a decade according to Statistic Canada.
Additionally, between 2010 and 2020, the highest average annual rates of human trafficking in the provinces were documented in Nova Scotia and Ontario. While Ontario and Nova Scotia represented 39% and 3% of the Canadian population in 2020, between 2010 and 2020 they accounted for 65% and 7% of police-reported human trafficking incidents, respectively. Ontario’s 400-series highways have been identified as hotbeds of human trafficking.
- There were 2,278 victims of police-reported human trafficking in Canada between 2010-2020.
- Women and girls represented the vast majority (96%) of detected victims, while men and boys accounted for a relatively small proportion (4%) of victims.
- Nearly half (45%) of all victims of human trafficking during this time were aged 18 to 24
- One in four (25%) victims were under the age of 18, while one in five (20%) were aged 25 to 34. The remaining victims were aged 35 to 44 (6%) or 45 and older (3%).
- Seven in ten (69%) victims of human trafficking were girls and young women aged 24 and younger.
Signs that someone may be being trafficked
Warning signs that someone may be a victim of Human trafficking include:
- Being controlled by others, driven to and from locations, and escorted at all times;
- Being controlled and watched by others, having someone speak for them in public;
- Not having a passport or other forms of I.D. in their possession;
- Act in a fearful, anxious, submissive or nervous manner, excessive concern about displeasing partner/employer
- Fearful of law enforcement or immigration services
- May be dressed in age inappropriate clothing
- May be dressed in clothing inappropriate for the time of year or context
- May suddenly have expensive clothing, purses, shoes, nail services
- Branding with tattoos of the trafficker’s name or symbol;voids eye contact, has another person speak for them
Sources: The Canadian Centre To End Human Trafficking, ontario.ca/humantrafficking
As a Canadian company operating mainly in the Ontario region, Big Rig Wraps is fully committed to supporting and raising awareness on human trafficking, that’s why we’re proud and honored to help support the Know Human Trafficking truck advertising campaign.
Supported by the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada, Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers, Crossroads Truck Training Academy, KnowledgeSurge Institute, Trucking Human Resources Sector Council Atlantic, and Sharp Transportation, we wrapped 3 trailers traveling across Canada to help raise awareness on this serious issue affecting so many people around the world.
The #3 trailer we wrapped back in April was displayed at the Truck World show.
In our efforts to keep creating awareness about human trafficking, we are looking for silent auction donations to raise funds for educating the public on human trafficking. Donors will receive promotion of their business on social media and at the Bridging The Barriers Trucking Conference hosted by the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada on Sept. 21.
Read More About Human Trafficking:
Know Human Trafficking Website
Ontario Government: Recognize Human Trafficking
Anti-human trafficking services and supports
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline
The Canadian Centre To End Human Trafficking
Big Rig Wraps Transport Truck Advertising (Big Rig Wraps) is the premier provider of large-scale outdoor advertising on trucks up to 53 feet. Through a series of partnerships created with fleet truck owners, graphic designers, and certified installers, we make it possible and affordable for companies to take their advertising on the road, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, even if they don’t own their own fleet. Learn more about Big Rig Wraps here.