Human trafficking is a serious and ongoing criminal offence that is committed daily in Nova Scotia and throughout Canada. The perpetrators use violence and fear to force victims into prostitution often in the guise of what seemingly starts as a traditional relationship. They are master manipulators who prey upon the insecurities of victims to lure them into their world where they control them and will use them for sex. These actions are devastating for victims’ families and robs them of their hopes and dreams.
For victims of unimaginable cruelty, we are appealing for a countrywide fight against Human Trafficking. A national, collaborative, powerful fight. We are making this appeal because human trafficking is often described as modern-day slavery. We are appealing because these victims have no voice.
Crime Stoppers Programs all across Canada have a proven record at helping solve crime in our communities. We are very pleased to be part of what we believe is the solution to helping reduce and eliminate the crime of human trafficking in Canada.
PLEASE DON’T CLOSE YOUR EYES
Remember that in addition to being a major crime, human trafficking is a serious violation of the human rights of the individuals who are being trafficked.
For more information on HUMAN TRAFFICKING please refer to the list of resources below. If you think you know someone being trafficked, or being trafficked yourself, WE ARE HERE TO HELP. Please call 1-800-222-8477.
WEBSITES.
www.canadiancrimestoppers.org,
www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/imn-passp/htncc-cnctp-eng.htm
www.blueblindfold.co.uk
www.ungift.org
www.unodc.org
www.canada.justice.gc.ca.ca/eng/fs-sv/tp/index.html
www.publicsafety.gc.ca
Stages of Human Trafficking- steps traffickers take to control their victims
Human traffickers will smoothly embark upon a specific choreographed set of steps to recruit girls into prostitution. These steps are; 1-Luring, 2-Grooming and Gaming, 3-Coercion and Manipulation and 4-Exploitation.
LURING:
- Assessing the right person
- Testing their vulnerabilities and boundaries
- Determine whether that person is looking for what they are selling
- Testing the waters to see if that person is open to engage in courting
- Collecting as much information as possible about them
- Making them feel special
GROOMING AND GAMING:
– She feels like she is in love
-She has found her dream man who will make her dreams come true
-He promises her a family, home, etc.
-He makes her feel like a princess
-They may engage in physical intimacy
-He continues collecting personal information about her dreams and hopes, family, what she loves and cares about the most.
-He may introduce her to illicit drugs under the guise of loosening her up, having fun
COERCION and MANIPULATION
-He starts sending her mixed messages
-He confuses her by withdrawing
-Uses information gained against her
-Reduces information and compliments
-Makes her believe he is mad about her
-Toys with her emotions and behaves erratically to cause her to question how he feels about her
-She tries to please him in any way she can to get back in his good books and have him love her
-He begins asking her to do thigns sexually that she may be uncomfortable with desensitizing her to these actions
-Has sex with her then does something for her (take her shopping, give her money, etc) to make sex have a price
-Draws on her drug addiction (if relevant) to make her have sex for drugs or money, make her feel indebted to him
EXPLOITATION
-He has broken down her self-esteem
-Threatens her and her loved ones based on information collected previously
-Makes her feel indebted to him
-Suggests that she owes him financially
-Leads her to think that she needs help financially
-She is at the point where she feels obligated to contribute in some way
-Emotional, mental and physical abuse-intimidation and control
-Confinement and isolation from family, friends, etc
There are many victims of human trafficking that fall for these acts of manipulation and control by master manipulators. These people are extremely smooth and well versed in having victims buy into each of these stages to eventually control and exploit them.
Anyone who has information on human trafficking are asked to call their local police or if they wish to remain anonymous they can submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or using the P3 Tips App.