More Resources
Human Trafficking: A Violation of Human Rights
Human trafficking, while being a criminal offence in Canada and a violation of human rights, occurs throughout the country and
Human Trafficking in Calgary: Informing a Localized Response
Despite increasing awareness about human trafficking in Alberta and Canada, there is insufficient detailed knowledge about how communities are responding
Engaging Community: Addressing Sex Trafficking in Edmonton (2015)
In 2013, in response to growing concern over the issue of sex trafficking in Canadian communities, Status of Women Canada
ACT Alberta’s Brochure
Please view our brochure. Language downloads: English En français 日本語 En español sa Tagalog 한국어 에서 باللغة العربية
ACT Alberta’s Hidden in Plain Sight
To commemorate World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, 2016, ACT Alberta launched this awareness campaign via social
ACT Alberta’s Voices of Survivors Booklet
Human trafficking is a crime that often leaves victims disempowered, unheard, and disbelieved. In recognition of Victims and Survivors of
External Resources & Links
Legislation and Government Action
Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings – The Convention is a comprehensive treaty mainly focused on the protection of victims of trafficking and the safeguard of their rights. It also aims at preventing trafficking as well as prosecuting traffickers.
Toolkit to Combat Trafficking in Persons: Global Program Against Trafficking in Human Beings – A toolkit created by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in 2006 to combat human trafficking.
United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols Thereto – Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2000 and entered into force on 25 December 2003. As of August 2013, it has been ratified by 157 states.
U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons Reports – The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is the U.S. Government’s principal diplomatic tool to engage foreign governments on human trafficking. It is also the world’s most comprehensive resource of governmental anti-human trafficking efforts and reflects the U.S. Government’s commitment to global leadership on this key human rights and law enforcement issue.
World Health Organization Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Interviewing Trafficked Women – Interviewing a woman who has been trafficked raises a number of ethical questions and safety concerns for the woman, others close to her, and for the interviewer. Having a sound understanding of the risks, ethical considerations, and the practical realities related to trafficking can help minimize the dangers and increase the likelihood that a woman will disclose relevant and accurate information.
Nongovernmental Resources and Training
Polaris Project – Power and Control Wheel and other resources on human trafficking
Legislation and Government Action
Criminal Code of Canada, Section 279
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, Section 118
Canada’s National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking (2012)
Nongovernmental Resources and Training
British Columbia Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons (OCTIP) – Human Trafficking: Canada is Not Immune online training.
Labour Exploitation and Human Trafficking (2014) – Created by the West Coast Domestic Workers’ Association (WCDWA) for the use of Live-in Caregivers and their networks of support in the hopes of preventing and combating labour exploitation.
Canada’s Human Trafficking Hotline
The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline is a confidential, multilingual service, operating 24/7 to connect victims and survivors with social services, law enforcement, and emergency services, as well as receive tips from the public.
The hotline uses a victim-centered approach when connecting human trafficking victims and survivors with local emergency, transition, and/or long-term supports and services across the country, as well as connecting callers to law enforcement where appropriate.
The hotline is operated by The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking, a Canadian non-governmental organization and registered charity. The hotline is not a government entity, or immigration, investigative or law enforcement agency.
The foundational policies of the hotline include:
- Do No Harm – In making its assessments of calls and consequent reporting decisions, the hotline follows the policy of “do no harm” or “do least harm” and understands that reporting or not reporting a situation may result in harm. Great care is taken to ensure that guidance on decision-making is expert in nature and accounts for the possibility of unintended consequences.
- Individual Consent – The hotline recognizes that information provided to law enforcement can lead to increased investigations and prosecutions, deter future trafficking, and help victims safely exit situations of human trafficking. Whenever possible, the hotline endeavours to speak directly with victims to discuss the various reporting options and receive explicit consent to report the case. At all times, the safety of the individual is paramount.
- Confidentiality – The hotline strives to abide by the highest ethical standards regarding confidentiality. All communication with the hotline is confidential to the extent permitted by the law. The hotline does not release identifying information about a caller, including to law enforcement or service providers, and will not confirm an individual has/has not called the hotline, unless given explicit consent to do so by the caller. The hotline will inform appropriate authorities of situations that reference the suspected abuse of a minor, potential imminent harm to a caller or others, or where the law requires the hotline to report.
- Non-Discrimination – The hotline will serve all individuals who reach out for assistance. The hotline abides by the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code.
The hotline may report or refer a caller to local emergency services (i.e. 911 in the provinces of Canada and Yukon, and applicable number(s) in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut) if the hotline believes the caller or others are in imminent danger or experiencing an emergency requiring immediate intervention.
As a mandatory reporter, the hotline may refer cases of suspected child abuse to law enforcement. If a caller references a potential case of human trafficking, a hotline supervisor will be brought into the discussion to determine the next steps. Reporting to law enforcement is done on a case-by-case basis.
The hotline’s mission is to respond to victims and survivors by providing them with access to critical supports and services they need to get help and stay safe. The hotline also works to educate and equip the anti-trafficking community, stakeholders, governments and other partners with the knowledge and tools necessary to combat trafficking.
- ACT Alberta’s newsletter archive
- ACT Alberta’s YouTube channel
- Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters – Shelter Finder
- Sunshine Behavioural Health’s Domestic Violence Resource Page