About 60 people took to the streets in Fort Frances to raise awareness about human trafficking.
It was among several taking place on Tuesday to recognize World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
The day is meant to raise awareness of the signs and impacts of the crime and the efforts to fight against it.
Amy Vanderzyde is a Mental Health and Addiction Indigenous anti-human Trafficking Liaison with the Ontario Native Women’s Association.
She says walks like the one in Fort Frances are important.
“Very important, because it really brings awareness to the community, allows other people to see who are not working in the social services to be able to see the issue of human trafficking, what’s going on around them,” says Vanderzyde.
“And that’s really useful because then they’re like, hey, this is happening. But if they’re not in the social services, they might not see it happening.”
The latest statistics from Statistics Canada indicate there have been almost 4,000 cases across the country between 2012 and 2022.
In 2022, 24% of victims were 17 years old or younger, and 43% were between the ages of 18 and 24.
“Statistics show us that trafficking is becoming more and more prevalent across the globe, especially in border towns such as Fort Frances, that have access to very close to a few different borders. We have the US border close to Manitoba and then Ontario, so there’s lots of different ins and outs.”
Vanderzyde says there are a few warning signs the public can watch for.
“Maybe you see them getting out of a car after a long time looking really malnourished because oftentimes their trafficker will withhold food from them for a long period of time.”
Other signs a person may be a victim include bruising, tattoos, lack of ID, and a lack of money to pay for things.
Another is the person who is unwilling to make regular eye-to-eye contact with anyone.
If you know someone or suspect a person to be a victim of human trafficking, call police.
Participants in World Day Against Trafficking in Persons walk held in Fort Frances, July 30, 2024. Image: Randy Thoms/Acadia Broadcasting
