Press Release
The Treaty #3 Police Service, along with a number of police services throughout Ontario, recently participated in “Operation Northern Spotlight,” a co-ordinated, national effort to end human trafficking.
During this operation, officers were able to ensure the safety of six people who had been working in the sex trade and were in exploitive situations, including two under the age of 16.
Additionally, 12 people were charged with 21 offences, including advertising another person’s sexual services, possession of property obtained by crime, and trafficking in persons.
In the course of “Operation Northern Spotlight,” police meet with individuals suspected of being in exploitive situations.
They are provided contacts and information for community-based support agencies, and are offered both immediate and future police assistance to leave the exploitation.
The program is not intended to engage those who are not being exploited.
“Human trafficking is a deplorable crime that threatens the safety, livelihood, and dignity of those who are being exploited and abused,” said Deputy Commissioner Rick Barnum, OPP Investigations and Organized Crime.
“This is a complex issue that affects some of the most vulnerable people in our society and does not recognize jurisdictional boundaries,” he noted.
“It is our duty to act decisively and effectively to recognize and protect those people from exploitation, and it is imperative that we have a concentrated effort amongst all our partners to be effective,” Barnum added.
The public is reminded to contact the Treaty #3 Police Service, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), with any information regarding people in exploitive situations or who they believe are being trafficked.
