Sue’s Kitchen Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall
A presentation about human trafficking is coming to Wallaceburg this evening.
Chantel Butterfield, a counsellor at the Sexual Assault Survivors Centre in Sarnia and vice-chair of Sarnia Lambton Committee Against Trafficking of Women and Children, will be speaking.
Butterfield’s presentation will take place at the Our Lady Help of Christians Parish Centre at 7 p.m.
Everyone is welcome.
The Zonta Club of Chatham-Kent defines human trafficking as: the illegal trade of human beings for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation or reproductive slavery, forced labor, or a modern-day form of slavery.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service have recently created a public education campaign to combat human trafficking.
Chief Gary Conn said in a presentation back in September that human trafficking has been identified as an issue within the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
Conn outlined some of the preliminary steps being taken by the Chatham-Kent Police Services through education and a pro-active approach, before it becomes a serious problem in the community.
To date there have been no criminal charges laid in relation to human trafficking in Chatham-Kent.
Conn said the police have a new poster outlining ‘Warnign Signs’, which features a checklist that is being distributed to local hotels for their front desk attendants about how to identify a possible victim.
Conn said the owner/operator of the adult entertainment club in Chatham has been very co-operative with the Chatham-Kent Police Services, and continues to provide updated information about their employees to the Chatham-Kent licensing department, as required by the municipal by-law.
Numerous charges were laid by the OPP last month following the fifth installment of a coordinated, national investigation to suppress human trafficking.
As part of ‘Operation Northern Spotlight‘, members of 36 police services from across Ontario, including the Chatham-Kent Police Service, directly engaged with people suspected of partaking in the sex trade, potentially against their will.
During coordinated investigations over a six-day period, police charged 25 people with 67 offences.
Police were also able to ensure the safety of 16 people who had been working in the sex trade as a minor or against their will. A total of 207 police officers and support staff engaged with 199 people and offered them information and contacts with community-based support agencies.
“Human trafficking victims often represent extremely vulnerable populations,” stated Detective Superintendent Dave Truax, OPP Criminal Investigation Services.
“These victims rarely identify themselves to authorities. Therefore, sharing information about and maintaining relationships with community agencies are critical to effectively respond to the crime and to refer victims to appropriate community-based resources, where available, for assistance.”
If you have a suggestion, story idea, column idea, or if you want to say hello… drop me an e-mail at aaron@sydenhamcurrent.ca.
Photo of the day
Here is a copy of the “Warning Signs” document released by the Chatham-Kent Police Service.
Weather forecast for Monday, November 28, 2016
Today – Increasing cloudiness. 40 percent chance of showers this afternoon. Wind southeast 30 km/h gusting to 50. High 10.
Tonight – Cloudy. Rain beginning early this evening and ending before morning. Wind south 40 km/h gusting to 60. Low 9.
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