In a video released to their social media, the Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy (IJFS) announced their progress in the fight against human trafficking in Ontario.
Made up of members of 21 police services, including the OPP and Greater Sudbury Police, the IJFS works cooperatively to investigate incidents of human trafficking in Ontario, including both forced sex work and labour trafficking.
Since their inception in December of 2021, the IJFS, which also includes the Toronto Police Service (TPS) and Treaty Three Police Service (T3PS), have conducted 65 investigations, assisted 61 victims, laid 72 human trafficking charges and 167 additional charges, and charged a total of 28 people.
The victims ranged from 12 to 47 years old, while the accused ranged from 18 to 44 years old.
As human trafficking cases are time-consuming, complex and often require a cross-jurisdictional approach, police services have continued to collaborate in their investigations.
“Traffickers exploit the lack of public awareness to perpetuate their heinous crime. The public can help by being aware of what trafficking looks like and reporting it,” said Staff Sergeant Guy Renaud, of Greater Sudbury Police. “Family and friends play a vital role in helping victims become survivors, by recognizing when something has changed in their loved ones and reaching out.”
For information, including the signs that someone is being trafficking, visit the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking. There, you can also find resources for victims and survivors of human trafficking.
If you or someone you know is being trafficked, call your local police. A national hotline is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-833-900-1010.
