The province is working together with local agencies increase awareness of human trafficking and a call to help protect potential victims of this horrible crime.
Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP rick Nicholl’s was joined by the provincial Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries Lisa MacLeod as well as representatives from local agencies on Thursday.
Kate Do Forno, Executive Director of Chatham-Kent Victims Services says they are pleased to see the province step up.
“We know it’s happening in the corners of our community, and it is absolutely imperative that we get to victims as quickly as possible. That’s what we at Victims Services want to make sure we are able to do,” Do Forno says. “The highest priority is to wrap services around individuals who have experienced human trafficking to ensure they have the resources at the ready so they are able to leave the situation they are in”.
Chatham-Kent Police Constable Meredith Rota says CK is a prime location for those looking to do harm.
“It’s a small community but we are located between two large cities, two international border crossings, and we are easily accessible from the 401 corridor.”
Minister MacLeod is pointing to the Ford governments commitment to fighting back with a $307 million anti-trafficking strategy that went into effect last March, and proposed amendments will give local police and the Children’s Aid Society more power to affect change.