“We identified 140 victims in the city of Ottawa,” said Corey Bourguignon, former outreach worker and graduate of victimology from Algonquin.”That was only during the nine month research period.”
Bourguignon was among the presenters at a workshop hosted by PACT ( Persons Against the Crime of Trafficking humans) on Oct.7 to hear details about the problem.
Woodroffe campus students, from first year police foundations and general arts and science justice programs, attended the workshop as part of the curriculum of the Canadian Criminal Justice course. The workshop educates the students on how they can play a positive actions in helping crime victims.
The figure cited by Bourguignon doesn’t reflect the true number of women because the majority of the women polled were self identified. Fear of reprisals, violence, shame and being victimized again in the courts keep many more women silent and in fear.
People often imagine sex slaves as being foreign nationals looking for a better life. The hard reality is 90 per cent of those researched were local with an average age of 12-25.
“Just over 40 per cent of the victims identified were between nine and 18,” said Bourguignon.” To put that in context that’s grade four to first year of college or university.”
Women are lured in, often on social media, during vulnerable times of their lives. During the bonding period, the predators often drive a wedge between the woman and her support system of family or friends in an effort to control their victim.
The study found that the majority of activity in our city was located in the downtown core, Kanata and Vanier. The reduced police presence in the rural areas is a factor attributed to the issue.
The demographic of the abusers have recently changed.
“Often times when we see human traffickers we automatically assume that they’re male,” said Hamida Mohamoud, PACT-Ottawa.” In this day and age a lot of traffickers are girls.”
PACT, through educational seminars and networking with other support groups, such as the Ottawa Coalition to End Human Trafficking , is striving to make a difference in the battle for our youth.
“Our vision is to recognize human dignity and promote the well being of trafficked persons,” said Pauline Gagne, PACT-Ottawa.” Our goal is obviously to prevent human trafficking and protect trafficked persons.”
With this criminal element being the second most lucrative in the world, the problem is daunting.
With many of the victims now being exploited online the problem is growing.
” The question I ask you,” said Bourguignon.” Are you under the impression that what you view is always a consensual act?”
If you would like more information or would like to support the cause contact PACT or OCEHT at their addresses below.
PACT-Ottawa: http://www.pact-ottawa.org/
Ottawa Coalition to End Human Trafficking: http://www.endhumantrafficking.ca/