Blog post: The Realities of Human Trafficking

Written by Lurit Loro

What comes to mind when you hear about human trafficking? Do you think of distant locations with strange figures and unknown processes? The reality is that human trafficking is not a foreign problem, conversely it is a problem that is of great concern to Canadians that we need to confront. Approximately 17,000 people are living in human trafficking which its components are often described as modern slavery in Canada (Ally Global Foundation, n.d.). These numbers and incidents are not isolated, but are linked to various socioeconomic factors that affect all Canadians such as income, family and social support, and education. The interplay of these factors lay the foundation to make certain individuals more susceptible to harm and exploitation.

Annually on February 22, Canada observes Human Trafficking Awareness Day to raise awareness of the severity of modern-day slavery in Canada and abroad. Human trafficking is defined as the profit or exploitation of another human being through “force, manipulation, or coercion” (Ally Global Foundation, n.d.). The control of another person’s movements is a key indicator of trafficking. Human trafficking is composed of two elements. The first is sexual exploitation which comprises 70% of human trafficking in Canada and 50% of human trafficking worldwide (Ally Global Foundation, n.d.). This form of trafficking involves recruiting, moving, or holding victims for sexual exploitation purposes. Recognizing the groups most affected by sexual exploitation allows for those groups to get the help needed. Ninety percent of identified sex trafficking victims are Canadian citizens (Ally Global Foundation, n.d.). Sex traffickers may coerce victims by force or through mental and emotional abuse. It is vital to recognize that sex trafficking is a gendered crime, and it disproportionately affects women and girls. Statistics Canada (The Daily, 2024) reported that 93% of victims of police-reported human trafficking were women and girls. Given the severity of this exploitation and the violence inflicted on these women, it is imperative that we invest in and find solutions to prevention for human trafficking against women and girls.

The second element is forced labour or labour trafficking which is the use of coercion to force people to work beyond their will. This is the control and exploitation of a person for their labour or service, usually through force, threats, and/or deception. Migrant workers are most affected by forced labour (Ally Global Foundation, n.d.). Exploitation occurs most in the service industry such as restaurants and hotels, as well as construction sites. Workers are treated like expendable items that can be discarded and easily replaced. Labour trafficking occurs in two steps: first is recruitment which is the false promise of good jobs, education, or travel opportunities in exchange for work in Canada. However, these promises fall short, and these labourers are forced to work in unsafe and unacceptable working conditions for long hours for little to no pay (The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline, n.d.). In most cases, migrant workers are not educated about their rights in Canada, this creates a cycle of exploitation.

Second is control and exploitation. Through physical and psychological control, traffickers exert their dominance via abuse, threats, debt bondage, document, and money confiscations. Labourers are further isolated and exploited due to language barriers and a lack of awareness of their rights in Canada. Recognising and understanding these forms of manipulation places us in a better position to protect our communities from those that are eager to exploit them.

Human trafficking is a sensitive, but important topic to discuss and raise awareness about. The Canadian Government reports that these crimes target the most vulnerable and marginalized in our communities including Indigenous women and girls; migrants; 2SLGBTQI+ persons; and youth in the child welfare system (Public Safety Canada, 2025). The moral fortitude of a society is based on the treatment of its most vulnerable members. Thus, the measure of Edmontonians is based on how we treat those most susceptible to these heinous crimes. It is our responsibility as a community to ensure that all members of our society are safe, protected, and cared for. These vulnerable and marginalized groups deserve to feel safe in the communities they live in and be in control of their lives. Recognising human rights violations and emergency services once human trafficking takes place and is uncovered is not enough. Actions and preventive measures must take place for change to occur. We all must do our part to recognise human trafficking and advocate for change to do our part to end this exploitation.

References

Human Trafficking in Canada.
https://ally.org/human-trafficking-in-canada/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAqrG9BhAVEiwAaPu5ziGSqaktVhOD2lvY89Ey8QMYFDCer4F1YltHAnY6cMh6-_x3KXl_BRoCzlAQAvD_BwE

Public Safety Canada. About Human Trafficking. (2025).
https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/cntrng-crm/hmn-trffckng/abt-hmn-trffckng-en.aspx

Statistics Canada. The Daily: Trafficking in persons in Canada, 2023. (2024).
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/241101/dq241101a-eng.htm  

What is labour trafficking?
https://www.canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca/what-is-labour-trafficking/