Ontario Increasing Supports for Victims and Survivors of Human Trafficking in York Region

Investments in new community programs will help young victims rebuild their lives

The Voice of Canada News

The Voice of Canada — The Ontario government is investing more than $3.8 million over the next five years to create two new community-based programs to provide more young victims and survivors of human trafficking in York Region with access to the supports they need. Strengthening Ontario’s ability to support victims and survivors and better protect children and youth are key parts of the province’s new proposed groundbreaking Combatting Human Trafficking Act, which was introduced this week to help combat this growing crime.

“These new programs will help more people who have experienced sexual exploitation heal and rebuild their lives,” said Jill Dunlop, Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues. “Victims and survivors of human trafficking need specialized, trauma-informed supports to help them recover. Providing more dedicated services for children and youth will help address critical needs in this region.”

The new programs in Newmarket are being funded through the province’s Anti-Human Trafficking Community Supports Fund as part of a $46 million investment to increase supports, including survivor-led programming:

Bridge North will provide a survivor-led peer mentoring and day program for children and youth, providing supports from early intervention through to stabilization, transition and reintegration.

Cedar Centre will provide trauma-specific, rapid-response therapy to help children and youth who have experienced sexual exploitation.

“Our government has made it a priority to combat human trafficking and protect our most vulnerable from this terrible crime,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and MPP for Newmarket-Aurora. “We are proud that this investment will create new critical programs in Newmarket to provide victims and survivors of human trafficking with the help they deserve and support their recovery.”

In total, 27 new projects are being funded through the Anti-Human Trafficking Community Supports and Indigenous-led Initiatives funds to provide a more comprehensive network of supports across the province. This investment and the proposed new and amended legislation are part of Ontario’s $307-million Anti–Human Trafficking Strategy, which aims to raise awareness of the issue, protect victims and intervene early, support survivors and hold offenders accountable.

“Voices of Survivors and those with lived experience are being heard,” said Casandra Diamond, Survivor, Founder of BridgeNorth. “For years we have been asking to have peer-led services, and today because of our government’s strong and wise leadership, it is a reality.”

“We are very excited by this opportunity, and humbled by the trust in us to work in partnership with the government to provide this critically needed service for children and youth who are at risk of, or have experienced human trafficking in York Region,” said Alison Peck, Executive Director of Cedar Centre.

QUICK FACTS

• Based on police-reported incidents, Ontario is a hub for human trafficking.
• More than 70 per cent of known human trafficking victims identified by police are under the age of 25 and 28 per cent are under the age of 18.
• Building on existing funding provided through the Community Supports and Indigenous-led Initiatives funds, Ontario is investing a total of $96 million in community-based services for victims and survivors of human trafficking over the next five years as part of the province’s Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy.
• The Combatting Human Trafficking Act introduced on February 22, 2021, includes two new proposed acts – the Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy Act, 2021 and the Accommodation Sector Registration of Guests Act, 2021 – as well as amendments to the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 and the Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking Act, 2017.
• Today’s investment builds on an additional $6 million investment announced on August 6, 2020, to enhance community-led anti-human trafficking programs. This includes a $600,000 investment in York Region to help York Regional Police develop a crime prevention model and enhance support programs for victims and survivors.