Sudbury anti-human trafficking group gets money to help survivors and their families
Angels of Hope Against Human Trafficking is a Sudbury-based group that helps survivors and their loved ones.
It recently received $250,000 in government funding from the federal and provincial government to expand its services and supports.
"Laurie Scott MPP has said that Sudbury is a hub for human trafficking and, statically, our numbers of human trafficking cases are only going up," said Cristina Scarpellini, the group's founder. "So there is a need for that education component of things, as well as you know the counselling for substance abuse issues, mental health trauma and that empowerment piece of the survivor-led support groups."
Money from the federal government is funding the hiring of an Indigenous social worker.
"At this point in time, our statistics are 51 per cent of women who are Indigenous identified in these drop-in workshops, including the survivor-led virtual groups that we are holding, 51 per cent Indigenous identified ranging from ages 28-36 at this time and they are all at different stage and levels of healing," said Lynzy Lalande, a program director and public educator with the anti-human trafficking group.
Provincial funding will support educational and prevention initiatives.
"We are going to go and have discussions with youth about problematic substance abuse, mental health, and how it plays a factor into human trafficking. As well as provide workshops for service providers that work with the youth population," Scarpellini said.
The group said education is key.
"All traffickers are of all genders, we do have girls that are trafficking other girls, and so it's really having that discussion on giving that awareness to the youth," Lalande said.
Since starting in 2015, Angels of Hope Against Human Trafficking has helped 275 survivors and their loved ones from across Ontario.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
DEVELOPING Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egypt and Qatar
Hamas said it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar, which seeks to halt the seven-month war with Israel in Gaza, prompting Israel to say it would send a delegation to negotiate – though it warned the proposal remained far from the 'necessary requirements.'
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to quash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Competition Bureau launches inquiry into Lululemon over 'greenwashing' allegations
Canada's Competition Bureau has launched an inquiry into Vancouver-based Lululemon following a complaint from members of an environmental group.
An American soldier was arrested in Russia and accused of stealing, U.S. officials say
An American soldier has been arrested in Russia and accused of stealing, according to U.S. officials. The soldier was stationed in South Korea and was in the process of returning home to the United States, but travelled to Russia.
Manitoba Court of Appeal dismisses Peter Nygard's appeal of extradition order
The Manitoba Court of Appeal has dismissed Peter Nygard's application for a judicial review of an order to extradite the former fashion mogul to the United States, where he faces sex trafficking and racketeering charges.