At least 75% of human trafficking survivors referred to Victim Services of Kingston and Frontenac had previously received assistance from the organization, as per staff members. Executive director Paula Laughlin emphasized the significance of this statistic, highlighting the need for a reevaluation of their approach.
The team’s realization that recurrent support was essential for long-term healing prompted the development of EMBER, an empowerment-focused initiative launched in September. Indigenous health nurse Anne Marie Batten stressed the importance of providing comprehensive support to prevent traffickers from exploiting gaps in assistance.
Last year, over 200 individuals self-identified as human trafficking victims sought help at the victims services office at Kingston Police headquarters. The organization noted that a majority of these individuals were Indigenous and had some form of intellectual disability, making them more susceptible to exploitation.
Annette Cadieux, leading the regional human trafficking response team, explained that Kingston has become a hub for traffickers due to its location along the Highway 401 corridor. Despite the increasing rates, there is a lack of awareness in the community regarding the prevalence of trafficking, which is concerning as victims are becoming younger, with cases starting as early as age 10.
Data from Statistics Canada revealed that between 2014 and 2024, there were 5,070 reported cases of human trafficking in Canada, with a significant portion involving violations related to the sex trade and physical assault. The majority of victims were females under 25 years old.
While immediate crisis intervention remains a priority, the team recognized the need to break the cycle of victimization. EMBER aims to provide survivors with hope and support to break free from exploitation. The initiative also seeks to engage community members as mentors to assist victims in rebuilding their lives and gaining independence.
Batten acknowledged the challenges of recidivism among vulnerable individuals targeted by traffickers and emphasized the importance of EMBER in providing a safety net and support system. The team is looking to create a supportive community network and is planning training sessions to empower survivors to take control of their lives.
Overall, the team believes that empowering survivors to acquire the necessary skills for independence is crucial for their healing and growth, ultimately leading to a positive transformation.