Crime Stoppers Guelph Wellington (CSGW) has partnered with Guelph Police Service (GPS), Victim Services Wellington (VSW) and Guelph Wellington Women In Crisis (GWWIC) on a video to increase awareness of Human Trafficking.
The video, funded by GPS, shares the views of the Human Trafficking investigator, as well as the agencies who step in to support survivors. The survivor perspective is shared by Kaitlin Bick, survivor of domestic Sex Trafficking, who has used her voice to educate on this growing crime.
GPS DC Adam Roszell dispels myths around Human Trafficking, specifically Sex Trafficking in his segment. VSW Executive Director Elizabeth Kent shares the role the agency has when supporting victims in the stressful time. GWWIC Public Educator Cindy McMann indicates the role her agency plays in helping survivors move forward with their lives. CSGW Program Coordinator Sarah Bowers-Peter illustrates the program’s role in anonymously and confidentially reporting this crime, as well as the proactive community education role it takes.
Each participant has a stand alone video, but the videos also come together seamlessly as a roughly three-minute video. This demonstrates the connection between the partners. The videos are available on the CSGW YouTube channel (link) as well as each partner’s social media platforms.
“The Guelph Police Service is proud to participate in this joint initiative to raise awareness of the impact and prevalence of human trafficking in our community,” said Detective Sergeant James Graham of the Human Trafficking Unit. “Due to our city’s proximity to larger urban centres and the Highway 401 corridor, we know Guelph is a hub for this heinous crime. We will continue to support victims and work to hold accountable those who exploit others for their personal gain.”
From someone who has been in it, increasing awareness is key to preventing victimization.
“Education is power. If I knew what human trafficking really looked like, maybe it wouldn’t have happened to me,” said Kaitlin Bick. “This crime doesn’t only happen to women and girls, it happens to our 2SLGBTQ+ community, men and boys. We have to make sure we are prepared to support all victims.”
This sentiment is echoed by local agencies who support victims and survivors of sex trafficking.
“By increasing awareness, we will make a difference,” said VSW Executive Director Elizabeth Kent. “I want to thank Guelph Police Service and Crime Stoppers Guelph Wellington for bringing us together to help education the community on this crime, and for including Victim Services Wellington in this project.”
“It takes a whole community to support survivors of human trafficking,” said Cindy McMann, Public Educator for GWWIC. “The more informed and aware we are about the issue as a community, the better we’re able to look out for each other and take care of each other.”
While human trafficking may not touch everyone’s life, members of the public may observe it once they know what it looks like, and have the ability to report it.
“These community organizations are working together to stop this crime, whether it’s getting victims out of trafficking and offering them supports, charging traffickers, or preventing victimization in the first place,” said CSGW Program Coordinator Sarah Bowers-Peter. “By working together, we amplify the message and challenge the community to understand what is happening locally. You can stop trafficking when you see it, you can get help if you are being trafficked, and you can prevent it from happening to someone you love.”
The video is being launched alongside a large-scale Crime Stoppers Human Trafficking Awareness campaign. CSGW, in partnership with other programs in southwestern Ontario, is offering a guaranteed $2,000 cash reward for information that leads to arrests relating to selected Human Trafficking offences. For more information, or to book a Human Trafficking/Cyber Safety awareness presentation, go to www.csgw.tips .
To report Human Trafficking, of any other type of crime, anonymously and confidentially, provide a webtip to CSGW at www.csgw.tips or call 1-800-222-TIPS.
