OLOTA JPIC Plan of Action 2009-11 Appendix 3
Human Trafficking
A US State Dept report estimated that 12. 3 million people were the victims of trafficking in 2009-10. A 2006 UN report estimates that worldwide, 800,000 people are trafficked annually. The majority of victims are women and girls reaping an estimated $10 billion in profit for the traffickers and buyers. The RCMP estimates that upwards of 1200 people are trafficked into Canada each year, about half of them women brought here for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Others are brought in to work as drug couriers or exploited in sweat shops, domestic, construction or agricultural jobs. It will be exacerbated by the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010. Additionally another 2,200 a year are smuggled through Canada into the USA to meet a similar fate. In Canada, human trafficking laws are relatively new and difficult to enforce. Canada’s record in prosecution for the crime of trafficking is not good – there have only been three convictions and the sentences have been short. There is no minimum sentence. Human smugglers exploit refugees. Canada has recently processed many refugees who pay exorbitant fees to jump the queue and arrive illegally.A related topic is the possibility of legalising prostitution. Wherever this has happened it has lead to increased trafficking and exploitation. In Vancouver there are 65 de-facto brothels which operate legally as health enhancement centres. An unknown number of private brothels, which rely heavily on human trafficking, operate in backrooms and basements around the city. The Internet (e.g. Craig’s List erotic services and pornography sites) acts as a pimp.
Objective: to be aware of, and participate in, actions to prevent human trafficking and oppose legalization of prostitution.
One simple action: Invite a speaker to your fraternity to make a presentation or use the OLOTA Director for JPIC’s powerpoint presentation.
Aspect / Content / Tools and Resources
Information / Background information / Victor Malarek, The Natashas: Inside the New Global Sex Trade, 2003, Viking Canada, $36.00. An excerpt is available from Andrew by email. There was a CBC programme of the same name.
BC and Yukon Bishops’ Pastoral Letter on Human Trafficking, Feb 2009
www.rcav.bc.ca/ht/index.htm
A key site
Includes Facts and Figures, Short History of Slavery in Canada,sample letter to the PM, lobbying guide, website links including FI’s “Handbook on Human Trafficking” and FI Youth’s “Sexual chattel: A look into the trafficking of women and girls” which has a section on p 3 “How to get involved” / Canadian Religious Conference
http://www.crc-canada.org/
click on CRC Priorities then click on Trafficking
The CRC has produced an Awareness and Action kit for High School students
A power point produced by Andrew Conradi, sfo is available, contact Andrew at and it will be emailed to you.
A key site
for letter and actions / REED (Resist exploitation, embrace dignity)http://embracedignity.wordpress.com/
A Vancouver site. See the letter to the Mayor of Vancouver against legalisation of prostitution and the actions we can take to end sexual exploitation
Coalition against trafficking in women-Canada (CATW-C)
http://www.humantrafficking.ca/ngos.htm
Has useful links for more information.
CATW International
http://www.catwinternational.org/
Click on Fact book and Resources
Prof Benjamin Perrin, UBC Faculty of Law and Liu Institute for Global Issues
http://www.law.ubc.ca/faculty/Perrin/index.html
He is also a member of the Future Group based in Calgary.
For latest update go to: faculty.law.ubc.ca/perrin
Robin Pike, Executive Director of British Columbia’s Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons 1-250-953-4970 can arrange shelter, medical aid etc.
www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/octip
Formation / Read and reflect on :
Luke 4;16-21
Deuteronomy 23:15-16 / www.kairoscanada.org
click on English, click on Refuges & Migrants (in left column), click on Contents – Education & Reflection .... click on Sheet # 5 Human Trafficking
Read and reflect on :
Lamentations 5: 1,11, 13, 15
Luke 13:10-13
Genesis 1:27
John 10,10 / Reseau oecumenique justice et paix
This is in French (available from Andrew by email) but anyone can read these in English and reflect on them
Prayer / Prayer to end trafficking from FI.
www.franciscansinternational.org
Click on Resources then Prayers
Action / Fraternities sign a copy of CRC letter to the PM / Canadian Religious Conference
http://www.crc-canada.org/
click on CRC Priorities then click on Trafficking
The CRC has produced an Awareness and Action kit for High School students
Fraternities sign a copy of REED letter to the Mayor of Vancouver
and implement the actions to combat trafficking / REED (Resist exploitation, embrace dignity)
http://embracedignity.wordpress.com/
Support the Purple Rose campaign / www.kairoscanada.org
click on English, click on Refuges & Migrants (in left column), click on Contents – Education & Reflection .... click on Sheet # 5 Human Trafficking see p 2.
Sign petition to make a five year minimum sentence for traffickers of under 18’s / Go to: www.joysmith.ca/index.asp?ID=76&cat_ID=1
THIS BILL WAS PASSED AND IS NOW LAW
Support legislative amendment to protect trafficked persons / At present there is very little protection for the victims of human trafficking. The Canadian Council for Refugees has a Proposal for Legislative Change.
Go to www.trafficking.ca
Financial donations to, and memberships in / FI, CCODP, Kairos.
· Natasha Falle had been trafficked across Canada for many years, beginning at a young age. Today she has started an organization called Sex Trade 101 to give a voice to survivors. Natasha now trains law enforcement and may others about human trafficking and how to recognize its victims. For more information on her organization or how you can help, visit www.sextrade101.com <http://www.sextrade101.com> .
· Timea Nagy was trafficked from Hungary to Canada ten years ago and forced into the sex trade for months before finally escaping. Today, as a survivor, Timea has started Walk With Me, an organization devoted to helping victims of human trafficking escape. For more information on her organization or how you can help, visit http://project417.com/walk_with_me <http://project417.com/walk_with_me> .