Resources

Federal laws in the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) address human trafficking and procuring (pimping and exploitation). Alberta has the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act (PESCA).

Human Trafficking is the buying and selling of human beings for purposes of sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, domestic servitude, forced gang activity, or forced organ removal and sale. Human Trafficking takes place in Canada (domestic) or across borders (international).

Canada is a signatory to the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, also known as the Palermo Protocol.

‍The United Nations defines “Trafficking in Persons” as

The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.

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To learn more about human trafficking:

• Federal government resources
• Alberta government resources

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What is Sexual Exploitation?

Sexual exploitation refers to the act of taking advantage of someone sexually for personal gratification, financial gain, or any other form of benefit. It involves using force, coercion, manipulation, or deception to exploit an individual for sexual purposes. It is important to note that sexual exploitation often involves a power imbalance, where one party exerts control over another for their own gratification. According to the United Nations, sexual exploitation is any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust for sexual purposes.

• Alberta Human Trafficking Taskforce
• Canada has a national hotline for human trafficking. Call: 1-833-900-1010. Support is available 24/7 in many languages.
• In Alberta, you can phone 211 for local resources. If it's an emergency, contact 911 or your local police or RCMP.

• Human trafficking action plan
• The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline is a confidential, multilingual service operating 24/7 to connect victims and survivors with social services, law enforcement, and emergency services and receive tips from the public.