The current events article is telling about a situation in Canada that is continuing to grow. The article begins by catching the reader's attention by pointing out that if they have been to massage parlors or strip clubs, then they may be been supporting human trafficking and not even have been aware of it. Benjamin Perrin says that human trafficking is an "insidious" form of modern day slavery in the community. This crime has been on a constant rise over the past few years. The public Safety Minister, Vic Toews, along with the RCMP and the Crime Stoppers Canada have all came together to discuss what they believe needs to be done in order to stop the crime. They say that the public needs to be educated on the crime so that they are able to recognize it whenever it is happening around them and are able then to go and report it. Perrin says that until many Canadians have knowledge of the trafficking and that help is provided to those victims, then there is nothing that can be done to try and stop it. The Human Trafficking National Co-ordination Centre has released a campaign called "I'm not for sale." This campaign, as well as the "Blue Blindfold" campaign share the motive to put an end to human trafficking. Olivia Chow, the NDP immigration critic, says that victims need to be have access to a safe place in which they are able to go and stay if they every come forward against their traffickers. If victims ever returned home after speaking out, it could possibly result in physical harm or even the chance of being re-trafficked.
www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2010/09/07/15269226.html
4 comments:
Human trafficking is a horrible and dishusting. The sad thing about this issue is that its children and young adults that are being abducted and forced in this kind of lifestyle. I seen a lifetime movie about human trafficking and the victims were being raped and beaten. This a global issue that more people need to be aware of.
I don't think a lot of people realize that the Triad is a large hub for sex trafficking. The crossroads of two major interstates- I-85 and I-40- give traffickers a major four-direction means of business, as well as escape routes. The buyers stop off in Greensboro and then have the option of heading out in any of four directions that take them as far away as California without even having to change freeways.
Add on to that the large immigrant population here, many of whom do not speak any English and are illegal (victims and families often don't think they can get help because they aren't 'supposed' to be here) and you pretty much have a sex trafficking hotbed.
Ashley is right, it does seem to effect those who have the least amount of power, the young. We see specials on the problems in SE Asia, but rarely hear much about here in the western hemisphere.
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