According to the 2018 Statistics Canada report, while 73% of victims are under the age of 24, there are many children and youth under the age of 18 who are groomed and sexually exploited every day. On average, the age of entry into sexual exploitation is 14 years of age; however, there are children who are as young as 12 years old. Not only are children being sexually exploited at a young age, approximately 50% are of Indigenous descent.
In addition to exploitation, since 2009, four out of five or 81% of traffickers have been men.
Coming forward and reporting these incidents to police is not an easy task; however, 97% of victims of police-reported sex trafficking are women and girls.
However, Public Safety Canada stated: “given the many reasons that victims of sex trafficking are reluctant to come forward to law enforcement, these police-reported incidents likely represent only a fraction of the true number of incidents in each age group.”
Sexual exploitation is a criminal offence and is defined as “the trading of sex or sex acts for money or anything else (e.g., food, a place to stay, alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, a ride somewhere, etc.)”
Sexually exploited children and youth, however, are victims of child abuse. It is important to keep in mind that children and youth who exchange are not committing criminal acts; those people who pay them for sex are committing a crime regardless of the age of the child.
Many children/youth who enter a life of exploitation experience one or more of the following risk factors:
- Living in a Group home or being homeless
- Mental health issues
- Substance abuse issues
- Trauma
- Low self-esteem
- Social isolation
- LGBTQ identified
- High risk activities
- Gang affiliation or association
Some people, but not all, can also have a past history of childhood trauma, abuse and neglect, leading to a life of exploitation.
What you can do
If you know someone who is being sexually exploited, there are options for reporting it.
- Contact NACIS (Northern Alberta Child Intervention Services) or SACIS (Southern Alberta Child Intervention Services) at 1-800-638-0715 and request to consult about PSECA concerns.
- Call the Edmonton Police non-emergency line at 780-423-4567.
Resources
The Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act (PSECA). This law allows police and Children’s Services caseworkers to apprehend sexually exploited children, with or without a court order, to ensure their safety and well-being.
Human Trafficking Task Force. A special task force to find ways to protect and empower survivors of human trafficking.
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline. If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call 1-833-900-1010.
National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking 2019-2024. Canada’s response to human trafficking and support broader Government of Canada commitments, including preventing and addressing gender-based violence, and supporting the safety and security of Indigenous peoples.
Call 211. 211 is a helpline and online database of Alberta’s community and social services. 211 has strengthened its resource capacity to respond with referrals re: human trafficking resources.
Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre
Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation
Childhelp, National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453
Children First Act
REACH Edmonton
ACT Alberta
Cybertip!ca: Canada’s National Tipline for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children
Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton
#notinmycity
Zebra Child Protection
Child Protection
Human Trafficking and Exploitation Unit