Exploring Human Trafficking: Backgrounder

Human Trafficking Definition (United Nations –Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking UN.GIFT)

“Trafficking in persons” shall mean the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs;”

Canada is a signatory to Article 3 paragraph (a) of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, which supplements the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime

Human Trafficking is a complex problem with varied determinants and therefore the solution is equally complex. Poverty and economic development status, immigration rules and standards, educational and health status, moral and ethical positions, labour standards and practices, criminal justice measures, and gender discrimination all are part of the problem and must be part of the solution.

There are three main elements in the fight against human trafficking:

1. Prevention – public education, immigration standards, rules and resources
2. Protection – pre and post rescue treatment and services
3. Prosecution – law enforcement resources