Understanding sex trafficking is critical, because it’s closer than you think.

I recently spoke at an event of over 200 women, where I gave my usual presentation. I wanted to inform them about our organization’s approach, educate on the issues with stories and statistics, and give suggested actions on how to get involved.  Maybe two or three times throughout the evening I referred to the fact that although not seen, trafficking is much closer to them than they might think. Little did I know how true that statement was that very evening.

At the end of the evening, a woman approached me and asked if I would speak with her daughter. From behind her, a young woman, maybe 17 or 18, walked up to me.  Let’s call her “Amanda.”  This precious girl had just left her trafficker and the life a sexual slavery that she had been trapped in.  I was honoured to have her share some of her story with me.  Amanda said that it wasn’t until she heard me speak, that she understood she had been “trafficked.” She spoke of how prevalent it was in this community and how many girls were involved.  She thanked me over and over again for what our organization is doing because, “people have no idea what is happening.”  Her tears flowed freely.  She cried for having given “not only [her] body to so many men, but a piece or [her] soul,” that she would “never get back”. She cried for all her friends that were still trapped.  

Amanda’s grandma, the one who had bought the tickets for them to come to the event, came and joined us.  As I stood there with my arm around grandma, in a circle with Amanda and her mom, I was reminded of why we do what we do.  I was reminded that behind this growing “issue,” are individual girls, just like Amanda. Sex trafficking has impacted this family and they would never be the same.  

I suppose you might say it was good I was there to speak with them to offer a Trauma-Informed and “harm reductive” response, and that is true, however, I would much prefer that Amanda’s experience never had happened in the first place. I wish that Amanda’s young life had not been ravaged by this devastating beast. Unfortunately, sex trafficking is a reality in Canada today and we must be informed and prepared to help those who have been impacted.  Our goal at Daughter Project Canada is to do all we can to prevent these atrocities from ever happening to any girl, ever again.

Throughout October our focus will be educating on sex trafficking.  I encourage you to follow along on social media and share it with your circle of influence.  Don’t look away, because it is closer than you think.

Cathy