Women’s Trucking Federation continues human trafficking awareness campaign
A new 'rig' wrapped in human trafficking awareness messaging was unveiled in the Greater Sudbury community of Lively last week.
A Northern Academy of Transportation Training truck was unveiled wrapped in human trafficking awareness messaging on June 14/23 as part of a Know Human Trafficking event stop in Greater Sudbury. (Amanda Hicks/CTV News Northern Ontario)
Since 2019, the Women's Trucking Federation of Canada has been behind the wheel of an awareness campaign called Know Human Trafficking and is now offering a free online course to educate truckers and the public on the signs of human trafficking.
"Our goal is to wrap 50 trailers with the human trafficking awareness message by the end of this year and spread them out through local communities across Canada," said Shelley Walker, CEO of the federation.
Officials with the campaign said human trafficking is a crime often committed in the shadows and is far less talked about than it should be – but having more trucks on the road with blatant messaging will help bring the issue to light.
"What's better than a rolling billboard?” said Walker.
"These trucks move all over, and let's face it, how often are you stuck in traffic and there's always a truck in front of you or beside you, so it’s a great way to get that messagae out."
- Download the CTV News app now and get local alerts on your device
- Get local breaking news and updates sent to your email inbox
The federation is also promoting an online course to educate truckers and the general public to recognize the signs of human trafficking. They have partnered with the Northern Academy of Transportation Training – all students, trainers and employees will now have to take the mandatory course.
"Knowing the signs, much like what's displayed on the trailer,” said Brian Pattison, the general manager of the academy.
"Signs of people present that are being trafficked. What to know, what to look for, common signs of traffickers. It’s a brief overview, but knowledge people aren’t aware of."
Officials said a big part of the training is dispelling misconceptions and getting into the statistics.
Statistics that Sudbury And Area Victim Services staff said some find surprising.
"The average age of entry into human trafficking is 13 years old," said Hannah York, with victim services.
"That affects our youth a lot. That shocks a lot of people."
The campaign said if all 184 truck training schools in Ontario make this training mandatory, the impact could be great.
Organizers of last week’s event also said it is important to know that there are resources available.
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline’s confidential service is available 24/7 by phone and online to connect victims and survivors with social services or law enforcement. They also accept tips from the public.
For more information, follow the campaign on Twitter.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi still missing after helicopter accident in mountains
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.