Human Trafficking in Canada
In Ontario, most reported cases of human trafficking involve sexual exploitation, which may also be referred to as sex trafficking.
Child sex trafficking is child abuse. It is inhumane and illegal. Child sex trafficking is the act of luring, coercing, forcing, or manipulating a child under the age of 18 into sexual activity either through online or in-person contact with or without the apparent consent of the youth in exchange for basic needs, drugs and/or alcohol, or financial gain on the part of the perpetrator. Youth involved in child sex trafficking may be coerced or forced into trafficking themselves, trafficking others, or both.
According to Ontario’s anti-human trafficking strategy, the average age of recruitment into sex trafficking is 13 years old, and over 70% of human trafficking victims identified by police are under 25 years old.
Those at high risk of being trafficked include:
- Children and youth involved with Children’s Aid Societies
- Indigenous women and girls
- 2SLGBTQIA+ persons
- Homeless and marginalized youth
- Persons living with disabilities
- Persons facing barriers to accessing housing, supports, and basic needs
If you have concerns for a child related to trafficking, please call us at (905) 522-1121 or (905) 522-8053 for After-Hours. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police service.
