Human Trafficking in B.C.

What is Human Trafficking?

United Nations Definition of Trafficking in Persons

In 2002, Canada ratified the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, otherwise known as the Palermo Protocol. In the Palermo Protocol, the following definitions are provided:

• '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;
• The consent of a victim of trafficking in persons to the intended exploitation set forth in subparagraph (a) of this article shall be irrelevant where any of the means set forth in subparagraph a have been used;
• The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a child for the purpose of exploitation shall be considered “trafficking in persons” even if this does not involve any of the means set forth in subparagraph (a) of this article;
• “Child” shall mean any person under eighteen years of age.

Source: Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (Palermo Protocol) [PDF]

There are many working definitions of human trafficking. The Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons works from the accepted definition provided by the United Nations. This definition is reflected in the Criminal Code* and Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

*see Criminal Code, Section Eight: Offences Against the Person and Reputation

Human Trafficking versus Human Smuggling

Human trafficking and smuggling are NOT the same thing.

• Smuggling: people pay for the services of being transported illegally to a new country and are free from their smugglers upon arrival.
• Human Trafficking: whether they expect it or not, trafficked persons are enslaved and exploited by their traffickers. What sometimes begins as smuggling can end up as exploitation and trafficking, but not all trafficking involves crossing borders.

It is not the movement of people, but the exploitation of people, that is the central element of human trafficking.

International Trafficking

International Trafficking occurs when a person is brought to Canada from a different country for the purposes of exploitation. Trafficked Persons can come from anywhere, including Africa, Asia, Europe, Central, North and South America.

Means by which people are trafficked internationally:

• Legitimately: Traffickers and trafficked persons enter destination or transit countries through legitimate border crossings and international airports using legitimate visas (such as live-in-caregiver visas, visitor’s visas, and student or work permits) as a cover for their illicit activity.
• Clandestinely: Traffickers and trafficked persons enter destination or transit countries using fake documents or by avoiding or evading patrolled entry points.

Domestic Trafficking

Domestic Trafficking involves the movement and exploitation of people within their country of residence. Studies show that aboriginal youth and women are the most vulnerable to domestic trafficking in Canada.

• Domestic trafficking can result in all types of exploitation, most commonly sexual exploitation.
• Domestic trafficking typically follows a route between major cities across different provinces in Canada. Movement is meant to remain undetected by law enforcement and to prevent trafficked persons from making friends or keeping connected to family members.
• In Canada, those most likely to be trafficked domestically include youth and women who face poverty, inequality, violence and unemployment. However, anyone can be trafficked.