Sex trafficking is a form of human trafficking that affects every country in the world. Canada is not immune. It happens within our borders and it happens within our city – yes, sadly it does happen in Ottawa. In fact, it is thriving here!

Sex trafficking involves sexual slavery for profit; profit that is kept by the trafficker; profit that amounts to billions of dollars annually around the world. The exploitative relationship is dehumanizing, violent and relentless.

Sex trafficking is not prostitution. It is not sex work whereby a person earns a living through the sale of sexual acts by choice and has control over their conditions of work. Sex trafficking is forced sexual exploitation of the trafficked person and comprises a gross violation of that person’s human rights. Typically, a person who is sexually exploited does not have control or has little control over their hours of work; how much they charge for the services they provide, including whether they keep some or all of the money they earn; the services they provide (including unprotected intercourse); whom they service; and / or how many clients they service in a day or at the same time.

Sex trafficking involves males, females and children. It does not discriminate.

Reel Youth: Project imPACT Film Program

The Project imPACT Film Program brought youth together to produce short films raising awareness of human trafficking for sexual exploitation in Ottawa. The youth chose to focus their films on recruitment, victim statements, and public misinformation. The film is also available in French.

TEDx 2018 Ottawa

On October 23rd Jodi Mosley, Head of the OCEHT Training Committee, and Sharon John representing A New Day, gave a TED talk about human trafficking.