Kingston’s New Initiative Supports Survivors of Trafficking

According to staff, at least 75 per cent of human trafficking survivors referred to Victim Services of Kingston and Frontenac had previously received some type of support from the organization.

This statistic is shocking, said executive director Paula Laughlin, and it serves as a wakeup call.

“This led to us wondering why.. the same individuals are coming back time and time again for supports, and why they were experiencing re-traumatization so often,” she said.

Her team soon realized that while it’s essential to assist people during a crisis, their ongoing needs also have to be addressed.

This understanding sparked the creation of EMBER, an empowerment-based initiative developed by the local victims services team that launched in September.

“If you do not put wrap-around supports in place, there will be a trafficker there to fill the gap that you leave,” said Indigenous health nurse Anne Marie Batten.

“Our motivating factor is really to … cover every gap, to really allow them to heal and move forward.”

Increasing Numbers, Younger Victims

Last year, over 200 individuals identified as victims of human trafficking visited the victims services office at Kingston Police headquarters.

About 70 per cent of those were Indigenous, and many had some form of intellectual disability, making them even more at risk according to the organization.

Kingston has become a key stop for traffickers along the Highway 401 corridor between Toronto and Quebec, stated Annette Cadieux, who leads the regional human trafficking response for the team.

A notice in the Victims Services office at Kingston Police headquarters lists the warning signs of human trafficking. (Dan Taekema/CBC)

“Numbers are climbing because it’s.. a hub now where individuals are kind of doing layovers, similar to flying,” she explained.

Despite these rising numbers, most people in the community remain unaware – or indifferent – about just how prevalent trafficking is, Cadieux added.

This is troubling, especially since victims appear to be getting younger.

“It can start as young as 10,” she said.

Toys and other activities are left out for children at the Victims Services of Kingston and Frontenac office. (Dan Taekema/CBC)

From 2014 through 2024, Canadian police received 5,070 reports related to human trafficking based on data released last month by Statistics Canada.

Of those reports, 39 per cent involved multiple violations mostly connected with sex work and physical assault; 93 per cent of victims were female with two-thirds being girls or women under 25 years old.

While Cadieux focuses on aiding people in crisis through building trust and providing immediate help; she noticed many victims seemed trapped in a cycle they couldn’t break free from.

She emphasized they’ll never judge anyone for finding themselves back in an unsafe situation but believes EMBER will offer survivors hope for change and an opportunity for freedom.

A Support System Offering Hope

Batten mentioned that recidivism is expected given how vulnerable those targeted by traffickers can be.

“People go back because they don’t have a place to live and they don’t have safe support,” she explained further emphasizing why EMBER matters so much.

“Providing a safety net just a soft place for people to land is really what’s important.”

The team is currently looking for others in the community willing to help victims rebuild their lives by becoming mentors who can provide practical knowledge aimed at fostering independence.

Paula Laughlin is executive director of Victim Services of Kingston and Frontenac. (Dan Taekema/CBC)

They describe EMBER as creating “a community within a community” aiming towards hosting training sessions this spring.

Batten noted that assisting someone who’s been traumatized acquire skills needed for taking control over their own lives brings its own rewards.

“It’s daunting but when you see shifts happening within people when growth occurs it truly can be empowering.”

Source link