Human Trafficking in Canada
Child trafficking is the illegal trade involving the recruitment, transportation, or exploitation of children through force, coercion or deception for purposes including forced labour or sexual exploitation. In Ontario, most reported cases of human trafficking involve sexual exploitation, which may also be referred to as sex trafficking.
Child sex trafficking is the act of luring, coercing, forcing, or manipulating a child under the age of 18 into sexual activity either through online or in-person contact with or without the apparent consent of the youth in exchange for basic needs, drugs and/or alcohol, or financial gain on the part of the perpetrator. Youth involved in child sex trafficking may be coerced or forced into trafficking themselves, trafficking others, or both.
Those at high risk of being trafficked include:
- Children and youth involved with child welfare
- Indigenous women and girls
- 2SLGBTQ+ persons
- Homeless and marginalized youth
- Persons living with disabilities
- Persons facing barriers to accessing housing, supports and basic needs
If you have concerns for a youth related to trafficking, please call us at 416-924-4646 or toll free at 1-866-527-0833. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police service.
Here you will find additional information about human trafficking:
