Sudbury groups raise awareness about human trafficking
Frontline workers across northern Ontario attended a conference Friday raising awareness about human trafficking.
The conference was organized by Greater Sudbury Police Service, Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre and N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre.
Darrell Rivers with Greater Sudbury police said the goal is to offer education, awareness and prevention.
“To give them a preliminary how to, what is human trafficking, what are the next steps, once they’ve identified a potential individual who is unfortunately in that situation,” Rivers said.
Tiffany Pyoli York with Sudbury and Area Victim Services said it’s important to recognize the signs.
“It’s any change in baseline behaviour, so something that is out of the normal for the youth or teen or child that you’re dealing with,” said Pyoli York.
She added it’s important to trust your gut.
“Go with your gut. If something’s not right, and be open to having those conversations. Ask the tough questions.”
Pyoli York said Sudbury is considered a hub area for human trafficking due to the accessible highways.
“In a few moments you can be hopping on the highway to Toronto, the Sault, to North Bay, Ottawa and beyond,” she said.
“It’s quite easy for traffickers to use those highways to get out of town and circulate those victims.”
Another focus is the prevalence of human trafficking in Indigenous communities.
“It’s something that’s been in our society for so long,” said Geesohns Manitowabi with Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre (SKHC).
“Coming together today is about bringing that awareness and making those stories told and shared with all of the communities and the city.”
Sudbury police will hold online summer educational sessions about human trafficking to continue the conversation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.