By Staff
January 26th, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
Something that has been needed for some time.
In a collaborative effort, the Halton District School Board (HDSB), Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) and the Halton Collaborative Against Human Trafficking (HCAHT) will host a joint information session on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, to raise awareness about sex trafficking and sexual exploitation in the Halton community.
The session will be held from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Elsie MacGill Secondary School (1410 Bronte St. S, Milton).
The session will uncover the realities of sex trafficking and exploitation and provide insight into who is at risk, digital and cyber security considerations, warning signs and how to keep our children and youth safe. The information session is open to all members of the Halton community, and child minding will be provided at no cost for children aged four and above. Those interested in attending can register online.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from and connect with representatives from local organizations SAVIS of Halton and EFRY Hope and Help for Women. The event will also be attended by survivors of sex trafficking and their families, offering a unique opportunity to learn about the direct effects sex trafficking has on the individual and their community.
Jennifer Fowler, Superintendent of Education with responsibility for Safe Schools for the Halton District School Board.
“Sex-trafficking crimes are on the rise and Halton is no exception. We believe that education and collaboration are key to addressing and combating sex-trafficking in our community,” said Jennifer Fowler, Superintendent of Education with responsibility for Safe Schools for the Halton District School Board. “By working together we hope to raise awareness and take meaningful action to facilitate early and appropriate intervention.”
“By raising awareness and understanding of sex trafficking, we empower our students, educators, and families with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and respond to the warning signs,” said Anthony Cordeiro, Superintendent of Education with responsibility for Safe Schools for the Halton Catholic District School Board. “This information session is a critical step in our ongoing commitment to foster safe school communities.”
“We strive to inform and equip the Halton community with tools and resources to combat human trafficking. Through events like this, we hope to build awareness and foster a resilient community.” – Halton Collaborative Against Human Trafficking (HCAHT)
https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/cj-jp/tp/rr06_3/rr06_3.pdf 2004 study conducted by ‘Department of Justice Canada’ 50% of trafficked women and young girls are indigenous; This study dances around who they believe makes up the other 50% being exploited for sex or forced labour, or both and international immigration and displacement from Asia, Russia, Romania was the only hint of reference to the remaining 50%. Apparently trafficked people’s to, from and within Canada is a multi billion dollar industry and an enhancement to the existing drug trade. Yes Canada is the place for action, and I cannot believe that the average Canadian is involved. The RCMP have to start looking higher up the food chain, but I somehow doubt they will.
https://www.canadiancentretoendhumantrafficking.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/ENG-Human-Trafficking-Trends-in-Canada-%E2%80%93-2019-20-Report-Final-1.pdf
‘Canadian Centre to end human trafficking’ 2019/2020
These two studies are important to understand that indigenous women and young children are being trafficked for sex within and outside of Canada, also 51% of young women had been involved with ‘child welfare’ this study is a little harder to read as it is awash with woke, colonial people bad, white men bad and different genders also being represented; I was struck by how much has changed from 2004.
The awkward questions that surround the ‘Piggy Palace’ in South Vancouver and the two indigenous women buried and forgotten in a land fill is not looking good for things to change any time soon.