As part of the 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, officials raise awareness about human sex-trafficking
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence kicked off on Nov. 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until Dec. 10, Human Rights Day.
Officials said women who are victims of human sex trafficking may face fatal consequences if they attempt to escape which is an assault on the fundamental human rights of victims.
The Timmins and Area Women in Crisis Centre helps women who are victims of human sex trafficking, which it said is nothing new in Timmins, but said it's helping more women who are being trafficked than usual.
“It is much more pervasive and clearly looks almost very obvious at times and it’s really difficult because it’s scary. Women trying to leave a situation of trafficking is really difficult," said Julie Nobert-DeMarchi, executive director of the Timmins and Area Women in Crisis Centre.
Since May 2019, Timmins Police have only laid human sex trafficking charges against two men.
“The Justice system is really difficult to maneuver when it comes to dealing with traffickers so it’s really difficult to arrest and to get the information and to make to make those arrests and to charge them with trafficking charges," said Nobert-DeMarchi.
She said it is not easy for a woman or girl who's being sex trafficked to say she's done and leave the situation. She said what happens more around the Timmins area is that women are paying off their drug and shelter debts with sex and/or being used to smuggle drugs.
Timmins Police officials said often, women who are being sex trafficked done't even realize that what's happening to them is inappropriate and illegal.
“Human trafficking under the 'romeo-pimp' premise ... they don’t even realize that they’re being victimized. They feel as though my boyfriend is entitled to have me serve as an escort in various sets of circumstances.”
Nobert-DeMarchi said what is good is that the community is better educated on the issue and are more aware of the signs. Police said the average age of a victim of sex trafficking in Canada is fourteen years old.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.