First Step Womens Shelter

Who is at risk of sex trafficking

  • Most people who are trafficked for sex are women and girls, but boys, men and people who are LGBTQI2S are also targeted.
  • The age of recruitment is as low as 12 or 13.
  • Homeless and marginalized youth are targeted by sex traffickers.
  • Youth who struggle with low self-esteem, bullying, discrimination, poverty, abuse, isolation and other social or family issues may be targeted.
  • Indigenous women and girls are especially likely to be trafficked.
  • Addiction, mental health issues and developmental disabilities are also risk factors.

The recruitment and "grooming" process:

Sex traffickers often recruit and groom people for trafficking by becoming a trusted friend or boyfriend.

Possible signs that someone is being groomed for sex trafficking include changes such as:

  • Withdrawing from family and friends
  • Being secretive about their activities
  • Having a new boyfriend, girlfriend or friend who they won’t introduce to friends and family
  • Suddenly spending time with an older person or people
  • Staying out more often and later
  • Absences from school or a decline in school performance
  • Wearing more sexualized clothing
  • Having new clothing, jewelry etc. that they can’t afford to buy
  • Suddenly having a new or second cell phone with a secret number

Facts about sex trafficking

  • Language like “pimping,” “the game” and “the life” is sometimes used when talking about sex trafficking.
  • Most police-reported cases of human trafficking in Ontario involve sex trafficking.
  • Sex trafficking is different from consensual sex work – in trafficking situations, the trafficker is in control.
  • A person can be trafficked anywhere, including in their home community.
  • When a person under 18 is advertised for sex, it is a criminal offence – legally no one under the age of 18 years old can consent to engaging in sex work.
  • Sex traffickers often control every aspect of the person’s life: when they eat and sleep, what they wear, who they talk to, etc.
  • People who are being trafficked, as well as people come into contact with them, may not know or understand that a crime is taking place.
  • Most often, sex traffickers purposely develop a bond with the person they are trafficking, in order to manipulate them and  make them believe they are better off staying than leaving. For this and other reasons, the trafficked person may fear and resist police intervention.
  • It can be very difficult for a survivor to leave a trafficking situation. It can take several attempts before they are able to find assistance.

Who is at risk of labour trafficking

  • Being a newcomer or having uncertain immigration status is the largest risk factor for labour trafficking.
  • Other factors, such as being homeless, can also make somebody more likely to be trafficked.
  • People who are isolated or who can’t speak English or French are especially vulnerable to trafficking, and may have the hardest time getting help.
  • Internationally, there have been human trafficking cases involving construction, manufacturing, mining, hospitality, salons, agriculture, domestic work, sales and other industries.

Facts about labour trafficking

  • Language like “forced labour,” “servant” and “servitude” are sometimes used when talking about labour trafficking.
  • “Debt bondage” is a form of labour trafficking where a person is told they must work to pay off a large, unexpected and illegal debt.
  • People in other countries and newcomers may be recruited by someone from their home country or from Canada who makes false promises about what the job is and how much it pays.
  • The person may not know their rights in Ontario, may not know how to get help, or may fear reporting to police.
  • Labour traffickers often take away passports and other documents, and sometimes control where the person stays.