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
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Police in Paris detain a man wearing fake explosives vest at Iran's Consulate
A man wearing a fake explosive vest and making threats was detained Friday outside the Iranian Consulate in Paris after police locked down the area, authorities said. His motive was unclear.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.