Human Trafficking in Canada
Centred Content
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 519-371-4453 (local) or 1-855-322-4453 (toll-free). If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police service.
Centred Content
Community Partners
In Bruce and Grey counties, we actively collaborate with community partners to raise awareness, identify risks, intervene early, and provide support and care for survivors. Collaborative initiatives with our community partners include:
- Updated Sex Trafficking Protocol
- Piloting of a Screening Tool to identify children and youth at risk of sex trafficking
If you need support or help, there are community services available. Reach out to any of the partner agencies listed.
Here are links with additional information:
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 760, Kincardine, ON N2Z 2Z4
Business Line: 519.396.9814 F: 519.396.7800
Support Line: 519.396.9655 or TF: 800.265.3026
Sexual Assault Support Line: 866.578.5566
Mailing Address:
2048 A 9th Avenue East
Owen Sound, ON N4K 3H2
Crisis Line:
T: 519.371.1600
TF: 800.265.3722
Text: 226.974.0755
Shelter Inquiries: info@thewomenscentre.org
General Inquiries: shelter@thewomenscentre.org
Website: www.thewomenscentre.org
T: 519.371.5818
Text: 226.668.0357
Email: ahtp@thewomenscentre.org
Website: www.thewomenscentre.org/aht
544 Huron Street, Stratford, ON N5A 519
T: 519.271.9998 or TF: 866.376.9852
Email: info@victim-services.com
Website: www.victim-services.com
1101 2nd Avenue East, Owen Sound ON N4K 2H7
T: 519.371.3642 or TF: 888.451-CMHA (2642)
Crisis Line: 877.470.5200
Website: www.greybruce.cmha.ca/
1101 2nd Avenue East, Owen Sound ON N4K 2H7
T: 519.371.3642 or TF: 888.451-CMHA (2642)
Website: https://greybruce.cmha.ca/community-programs-services/the-mens-program/
Crisis Help Line Available 24/7:
T: 519.371.1600 or TF: 800.265.3722
101 17th Street East, Owen Sound, ON N4K 0A5
T: 519.376.9420 or TF: 800.263.3456 Sexual Health Clinic Ext. 1256
Website: www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca
Health Services
1800 8th Street East, Owen Sound, ON N4K 6M9
T: 519.376.2121 ext. 2458
Website: www.gbhs.on.ca/sexual-abuse-partner-abuse-care-centre/
Website: www.sexualassaultsupport.ca
T: 519.797.3677
Head Office:
720 Bay Street, 5th Floor, Toronto, ON M7A 2S9
T: 416.325.3265
Regional Office (West):
119 King Street West, 4th Floor, Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y7
T: 905.521.7590
F: 905.521.7450
Local Office (Owen Sound):
611 9th Avenue East, Owen Sound, ON N4K 6Z4
T: 519.376.8927
F: 226.256.8411
TF: 866.259.4823