Human trafficking is a growing problem around the world and here in Canada, a volunteer with the Action Coalition on Human Trafficking Alberta told an audience recently at the Mountain View County office.Jane Marston said the problem of human trafficking is growing on both a national and international scale. International statistics peg the value of human trafficking at $42.5 billion annually.Marston said while there are about 800,000 people trafficked around the world, 80 per cent of the victims are female and 50 per cent are children.Nationally, Marston said human trafficking is becoming a larger problem as time goes on. She said while there are no statistics on the number of missing Aboriginal women that may have been trafficked in Canada, it is a growing problem.ìThe numbers of Aboriginal women is a great concern,î she said.Similarly, foreign workers in Alberta have been exploited, although there are no firm statistics documenting the extent of the problem.Often, Marston said victims are fearful of deportation and of their traffickers. She said many victims, even when approached by authorities, maintain a distrustful attitude and aren't able to turn off coping mechanisms.ìThere would not be victims (generally) if there weren't huge demand. It is something, too, our society is working on,î she said.Marston made a distinction between smuggling and trafficking. Trafficking is characterized by exploitation of some sort, such as confiscating a victim's documents so they can't legally cross borders, putting them in servitude or harbouring people. Smuggling people always involves crossing a border but it doesn't necessarily involve exploitation.Marston said often women are traffickers themselves.In Alberta, the first charges under the Criminal Code of Canada for trafficking were laid in Edmonton in September 2009. The first charges in Calgary were also brought forward in 2009.Lara Quarterman, the coordinator for ACT in Calgary, said several counteractive measures can be taken by members of the public if they suspect cases of human trafficking are taking place. One of the best ways to do that is to contact Crimestoppers, which would then contact the appropriate authorities regarding tips that are given.ìI think another big one is just talking about the issue and acknowledging the rights of temporary workers and the rights of those engaged in sex work and not assuming that they all don't want to be in the situation that they're in, but being mindful that their rights are equally as important to protect,î she said.Quarterman said individuals can also fundraise or volunteer for organizations that are engaged in work that try to counteract human trafficking.ACT was formed in 2007 in Edmonton and expanded to Calgary the following year. The organization has chapters in six communities throughout the province.There are a dozen volunteers working out of the Calgary office that travel throughout the province giving presentations on the issue.The presentation was sponsored by the Olds, Didsbury and Sundre Rural Crimewatch Association.
