ACT Alberta is participating in the Summer Temporary Employment Program (STEP) program which means we are looking for a student to fill our ACT Edmonton Assistant Coordinator position. Please see below for details!

OPPORTUNITY

The role of the ACT Edmonton Assistant Coordinator is to support the ACT Edmonton Coordinator and the ACT Alberta head office. S/he will work collaboratively with other agencies to develop a protocol to address the needs of trafficked persons, research community resources, provide case coordination, undertake networking and outreach to community members and agencies, develop and deliver presentations on human trafficking. S/he will provide support to the Edmonton Networking Coordinator and the ACT Alberta head office in other related tasks as assigned. Applicants should possess an interest in and knowledge of human trafficking and multi-sectoral collaborations. Applicants should demonstrate professionalism and exemplary communication and time management skills.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

- Assist ACT Edmonton Coordinator with Network Coordination

- Assist in the development of protocols victim assistance

- Research potential partnership and funding opportunities and trends related to human trafficking

- Provide case coordination for victims of human trafficking

- Develop and deliver training and education on human trafficking

- Plan and deliver public awareness raising events

- Recruit and help manage volunteers

- Other related duties as assigned

- This position may require occasional travel and weekend/evening work

QUALIFICATIONS

- Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Social Work, Social Sciences, Humanities, Business or related field

- Familiarity with human trafficking and victims’ needs (experience working with survivors/victims an asset)

- Familiarity with Canada’s immigration system (experience with the Temporary Resident’s Permit an asset)

- Experience working in collaboration with government and nongovernmental organizations and law enforcement

- Familiarity of relevant community resources

- Public speaking and educating skills

- Successful candidate must submit a Police Information Check

- Reliable transportation is required

COMPENSATION

This position begins on May 14, 2012 and is completed on August 2, 2012. 35 hours/week. $16/hour.

Applications are due Friday, April 20^th at 4:30 pm. Please submit a resume and a cover letter by email to info@actalberta.org . No phone calls please.

ACT Calgary is hosting a variety of events in recognition of National Victims of Crime Awareness Week.  Please come out and learn more about the issue at any or all of these events! We hope to see you there!

Sex Trafficking 101
Date: Tuesday, April 24
Time : 12:00 pm -1:00 pm
Where: Memorial Park Library 1221 2nd Street SW Calgary

Bring your lunch for this informative session discussing the realities of sexual exploitation and human trafficking in Canada.
Light refreshments will be served.

Labour Exploitation and Human Trafficking
Date: Wednesday,  April 25
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Place: Memorial Park Library 1221 2nd Street SW Calgary

The crime of human trafficking has been called ‘Modern Day Slavery’ however, does this title reflect what is happening in Canada? This presentation will cover the reality of labour exploitation in Alberta along with Canada’s response to human trafficking.
Light refreshments will be served.

Film Screening: ‘Not My Life’ and discussion
Date:  Saturday, April 28
Time:  2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Place: Memorial Park Library 1221 2nd Street SW Calgary

“Not My Life” probes the dark, hidden, and often unspeakable realities of human trafficking — a multi-billion dollar global industry that earns its  profit ’on the backs and in the beds of our planet’s youth.”  The film will be followed by a short discussion on the reality for victims of human trafficking in Canada and around the world.
Light refreshments will be served.

If you have any questions about these events please email info@actalberta.org

The seventh annual National Victims of Crime Awareness Week (NVCAW) 2012 will take place from April 22 – 28, 2012.  NVCAW is an opportunity to raise awareness about victim issues and about the programs, services and laws in place to help victims of crime and their families.  The Action Coalition on Human Trafficking is pleased to be hosting a screening of the film Call + Response to raise awareness of human trafficking and how citizens can engage in Alberta’s response to human trafficking. In keeping with the weeks theme of “Moving Forward”, we hope to educate  the audience on who the  victims are and how we can help these victims reclaim their lives, followed by a Q&A with ACT Community Engagement Coordinator Bev Stenhouse.  Come out to learn more and see how you can help!

When:  Tuesday, April 24^th 2012 • Doors open at 6:00 pm film will begin at 6:30 pm.

Where:  Central Lions Seniors Association 11113 – 113 Street. Edmonton, AB

FREE Admission, FREE Parking, Snacks and Refreshments will be served.

CALL + RESPONSE is a first of its kind feature documentary film that reveals the world’s 27 million dirtiest secrets: there are more slaves today than ever before in human history. CALL + RESPONSE goes deep undercover where slavery is thriving from the child brothels of Cambodia to the slave brick kilns of rural India to reveal that in 2009, Slave Traders made more money than Google, Nike and Starbucks combined.

To RSVP please visit:

http://www.facebook.com/events/244562562306054/?context=create

TRAFFICKING IN CALGARY: NOT JUST A FOREIGN PROBLEM

CALGARY, ALBERTA, MARCH 23 — No one has ever been convicted for humantrafficking in Alberta, yet nearly half of law enforcement, government, and social agencies surveyed in Calgary have come into contact with a victim of human trafficking.

This surprising finding is revealed in Human Trafficking in Calgary: Informing a Localized response, a report released by the Action Coalition on human Trafficking (ACT) and  Mount Royal University’s Centre for Criminology and Justice Research. The research is unprecedented in Canada, as it represents the first attempt to document how a major Canadian city is addressing the needs of trafficked persons.

The report shows how over-reliance on legal definitions of human trafficking allows victims to fall through the cracks, as some trafficked persons are not being identified and are therefore not accessing needed services. “It’s been difficult for police to lay charges, never mind obtain convictions,” says Julie Kaye, co-ordinator for ACT Calgary. “We need a clear, universally accepted definition of human trafficking to develop an effective coordinated response.Everyone needs to be on the same page.”

Human trafficking —the use of threat, force, fraud, or deception to exploit people — is often associated with international victims exploited for sex. However, researchers confirmed that both foreign nationals and Canadian citizens are being trafficked in Calgary. Organizations surveyed indicated that trafficking is occurring from First Nation reserves to Alberta cities,for example.

While some exploitation is sexual in nature (often involving Eastern European and Asian women), researchers found that people are being trafficked for labour as well from countries such as India, Pakistan and Mexico. In these cases, traffickers used government means such as the Temporary Foreign Worker program to get people into Canada.

The report includes recommendations to address human trafficking in Calgary, including more training for frontline service agencies and the development of a local protocol to better serve trafficking victims. Because much information on human trafficking in Calgary remains anecdotal, further research is also recommended.

To read the full report click here: Human Trafficking in Calgary-Informing a Localized Response

Media Contacts:

Julie Kaye

Researcher and Calgary Coordinator, ACT Calgary

403-667-3570

calgary@actalberta.ca

Lara Quarterman

Report Author

403-988-7885

lara@actalberta.org

Notes:

ACT Alberta is a coalition of government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, survivorsof trafficking and the general public who are concerned with identifying and responding tohuman trafficking in our province.

The Centre for Criminology and Justice Research (CCJR) at Mount Royal University iscommitted to the development and implementation of leading edge research and techniquesfor the study of criminal and social justice issues and the promotion of safe communities.

CALGARY, ALBERTA, MARCH 19 — Human trafficking is often associated with sex slaves in foreign brothels, but groundbreaking new research reveals the extent of trafficking in our own city —and what can be done about it.

On March 23, the Action Coalition on Human Trafficking (ACT) and Mount Royal University will release Human Trafficking in Calgary: Informing a Localized Response at Ambrose University College. The report is unprecedented in Canada, as it is the first attempt to document how a major Canadian urban centre is addressing the rights and needs of trafficked persons.

The research shows the extent to which local agencies have encountered trafficked persons, the ways migrant labour programs are exploited, and how victims are falling through the cracks because the term “human trafficking” is poorly defined.

ACT Calgary Coordinator and Researcher, Julie Kaye remarked, “there have been few criminal charges of human trafficking in Calgary, so we were surprised to find that almost half the socialserving agencies we surveyed had come into contact with trafficked persons.”

Most importantly, the report includes recommendations for developing an effective local response to human trafficking.

EVENT DETAILS

ACT Alberta is once again proud to be involved in  National Vicitms of Crime Awareness Week which will take place from April 22 – 28, 2012. NVCAW is an oppurtunity to raise awareness about victim issues and about the programs, services and laws in place to help victims of crime and their families.

ACT Alberta, as a member of the the Sexual Exploitation Working Group (SEWG) in Edmonton, would like to extend an invitation to SEWG’s first conference which is being held on April 26th. “Sexual Expoitation: Strategies for Change” is a conference intended to promote strategies for change and to provide professionals in the field with valuable tools to support trauma-informed practice.

Registration for Sexual Exploitation: Strategies for Change is NOW OPEN!

When: April 26^th 2012, 8:00 am- 4:00 pm

What: This is a one day conference intended not only to promote strategies of change but also to provide professionals in the field with valuable tools regarding sexual exploitation and to create trauma-informed individuals

Speakers will focus on changes in policing & the criminal justice system, self-care & trauma education, new resources & referrals, including an opportunity to hear from a survivor of exploitation.

How: To register please visit: http://sewgstrategiesforchange.eventbrite.com

REGRISTRATION CLOSES APRIL 6^Th !

ACT Alberta and The Centre for Criminology and Research would like to cordially invite you to the research report launch of ” Human Trafficking in Calgary: Informing a Localized Response”.

When: Friday, March 23 2012

Time: 9:30 am- 12:30 pm

Where: Ambrose University College 150 Ambrose Circle SW Calgary Alberta

Event and parking is free of charge.
Light refreshments will be served.

For more information please contact info@actalberta.org

Please RSVP at: http://actresearch.eventbrite.com/

When:  Friday, February 3, 2012

Time: 10: 00 am – 11:00 am

Where: University of Alberta, Dentistry/Pharmacy Building 4069

Learn about human trafficking in Canada and Alberta and discuss what citizens can do about this human rights abuse. ACT Alberta uses a collaborative organizational model that addresses human trafficking with the input of multiple stakeholders, including the public. Look into the history of this unique organization, the challenges and benefits of operating as a coalition, and the role of continued citizen participation in addressing human trafficking.

Presenter: Andrea Burkhart, Action Coalition on Human Trafficking Alberta Association

Please visit www.globaled.ualberta.ca for International Week 2012 highlights and a full PDF version of the program guide.

Mount Royal University is proud to present this special evening focusing on the serious topic of human trafficking.

Date: Thursday, February 16th, 2012

Time: 7pm-9pm

Place: EC 1050 in the Roderick Mah Centre for Continuous Learning , 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW , Calgary, Alberta

Keynote address: Yvon Dandurand, a leading international expert in human trafficking and criminal justice.

Play reading: Act I of the play She Has a Name by Andrew Kooman, performed by members of Burnt Thicket Theatre.

This one day learning session will provide you with an understanding of what is Human Trafficking with a focus on youth that are being exploited in the sex trade in Edmonton.
Special guest Trisha Baptie who will provide insightinto a world that few see. As well an assessment tool will be presented to use to identify individuals being trafficked.

Learning session will also include:

Human Trafficking 101—Andrea Burkhart (ACT Alberta)
On the Streets—Detective David Schening and Detective Steven Horchuk Assessment Tool—Amy Stephens, MSW, RSW (ACT Alberta)

Date: Friday, January 20th 2012 from 8:30 am to 4:30pm

Where:  Stanley A. Milner Library Theatre, Edmonton Public Library 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square

REGISTRATION
Fee: $65.00 with Lunch included
No refunds
Cash, cheque or credit card accepted
Email
Lise@helpinghandsofhope.com
With the following information

Name: __________________________

Organization: _____________________

Email: ___________________________

Contact Phone Number _____________

Credit Card – Visa or Mastercard

Credit Number ____________________

Exp Date _______________________

Name on Card _____________________

Or

Mail to (before January 5th. 2012)
Suite 21 – 240-222 Baseline Road
Sherwood Park, Alberta T8A 1S8

Phone (780) 702-5239 for further information