It was announced today that the province is providing more than $1 million in funding to help victims of human trafficking in Sault Ste. Marie and area.
A news release issued today states that the new Algoma Family Services (AFS) program "will provide group and individual counselling for at-risk children and youth aged 11 to 17, supports for vulnerable populations such as racialized individuals and newcomers, as well as intensive services for victims and families."
“This funding will allow us to collaborate with our community partners in our efforts to provide outreach and counselling to our most vulnerable children and youth, who are at risk of or are experiencing sexual exploitation,” said AFS Director of Services, Sandie Leith, in the release.
Full text of the news release issued by the Province of Ontario follows:
The Ontario government is investing $1.2 million over the next five years to create a new community-based program so more young victims and survivors of human trafficking in Sault Ste. Marie have access to the supports they need. Enhanced protection of children and youth is a key component of the province’s new proposed groundbreaking Combatting Human Trafficking Act, which was introduced last month to help fight this growing crime.
“Through our government’s Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy, we are taking strong action to address child sex trafficking,” said Jill Dunlop, associate minister of Children and Women’s Issues. “By investing in dedicated supports for children and youth and proposing legislative changes, we are making prevention and early intervention a top priority so we can help more young people who are exiting trafficking heal from the trauma and reduce the risk of re-exploitation.”
The new program delivered by Algoma Family Services is funded through the province’s Anti-Human Trafficking Community Supports Fund to increase services. It will provide group and individual counselling for at-risk children and youth aged 11 to 17, supports for vulnerable populations such as racialized individuals and newcomers, as well as intensive services for victims and families.
“Human trafficking is a horrible crime that affects young people and their families in our community,” said Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities and MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. “Many victims are impressionable and can be lured through drug addiction and dependence on their trafficker. This investment in Algoma Family Services will provide more specialized supports for children and youth so they can get the help they need and stay safe.”
“Algoma Family Services is extremely grateful to have been awarded the Anti-Human Trafficking-Community Support Fund,” said Sandie Leith, Director of Services, Algoma Family Services. “This funding will allow us to collaborate with our community partners in our efforts to provide outreach and counselling to our most vulnerable children and youth, who are at risk of or are experiencing sexual exploitation.”
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.
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.
• 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.