A conference on human trafficking hosted by Greater Sudbury Police Service continues in Sudbury.
Nearly 200 officers and members of various other local agencies are hoping to come up with a strategy to tackle the issue.
Bridget Perrier is a survivor of human trafficking and she shared her story with the attendees.
She was lured away from a group home in Thunder Bay into the world of prostitution at the age of 12.
“I was shuffled around from condos to hotels, on airplanes, and even on freightliners out of the City of Thunder Bay.” said Perrier.
She was sold for sex for over a decade by male and female pimps.
“How did I get out? I lost a child and I just was done. Actually, the movie ‘Monster,’ I probably would have been the next female serial killer. I really hated the men and I realized I had to leave.” said Perrier.
She was invited to the conference to be a guest speaker as police officers and community partners gather to find better ways of working together to identify and help victims of human trafficking.
Rick Waugh is a staff sergeant with GSPS.
“To have her stand up in front of our group of 170-180 people and talk to us, not in a polished, scripted story, but a real life, from the heart, emotional trip that she took us on.” said Waugh.
She knows that by sharing her story, the people who hear it will get a better understanding of what is happening.
“I think it gives the voice to those who have experienced exploitation. It gives the officers a different perspective on what the issues are and I think the issues are men who buy sex.” said Perrier.
The human trafficking survivor says the dark web is often where sex is sold.
“As a community we need to be aware of the internet and the harms it has on our girls. And it's not about building our girls, it’s about preparing our boys to be men.” said Perrier.
She says she suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and physical injuries from being trafficked.
She now travels the world, sharing her story hoping to make a difference.
