(ORILLIA, ON) – In recognition of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, the Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-Led Joint Forces Strategy (IJFS) is announcing significant enforcement results from a series of proactive investigations conducted across Ontario.
Over the past 18 months, IJFS-participating police services have undertaken coordinated operations in communities throughout Ontario, targeting those seeking to purchase sexual services from young people. These initiatives were carried out with the goal of reducing the demand for the commercial sexual exploitation of young persons.
The operations focused on identifying and arresting individuals who attempted to obtain sexual services from persons under 18, or from individuals who are coerced, trafficked, or otherwise exploited. Police officers posed as vulnerable youth to disrupt illegal activity and deter demand for exploitative sex work.
As a result of these investigations, 80 individuals were arrested and charged with a combined 165 Criminal Code offences.
Human trafficking is a serious criminal offence involving the exploitation of individuals through force, fraud, threats, or manipulation for financial gain. Victims are often subjected to forced labour or commercial sexual exploitation and are deprived of their freedom and dignity. This crime represents a serious violation of human rights, as traffickers treat vulnerable individuals as commodities to be bought, sold and controlled.
The success of this province-wide initiative underscores the critical importance of inter-agency collaboration in identifying offenders, protecting those at risk, and holding traffickers and exploiters accountable.
IJFS partner agencies who supported this investigation include:
1. Durham Regional Police Service
2. Greater Sudbury Police Service
3. Halton Regional Police Service
4. London Police Service
5. Niagara Regional Police Service
6. Ontario Provincial Police
7. Peel Regional Police
8. Peterborough Police Service
9. Toronto Police Service
10. Windsor Police Service
11. York Regional Police
QUOTES
“Human trafficking is a complex and persistent threat that thrives in silence. It is a crime that requires us to address traffickers as well as those who fuel demand for exploited persons. We are committed to working with our partners to dismantle trafficking networks, hold offenders accountable and support survivors. We urge the public to stay alert, report suspicious activity, and support efforts to end trafficking. Together, we can create safer communities.”
– Acting Detective Inspector Dan Dusto, IJFS Lead
About THE IJFS
On March 6, 2020, the Government of Ontario announced funding to establish the IJFS, consisting of full-time investigators and analysts who are assigned to participating police agencies across Ontario, including municipal and First Nations, along with additional resources to the OPP. The IJFS assists in identifying, investigating and disrupting multi-jurisdictional human trafficking organizations operating within Ontario.
The participating police agencies include:
- Anishinabek Police Services
- Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service
- Barrie Police Service
- Durham Regional Police Service
- Greater Sudbury Police Service
- Halton Regional Police Service
- Hamilton Police Service
- Kingston Police
- London Police Service
- Niagara Regional Police Service
- Ontario Provincial Police
- Ottawa Police Service
- Peel Regional Police
- Peterborough Police Service
- Six Nations Police Service
- Thunder Bay Police Service
- Treaty Three Police Service
- Toronto Police Service
- Windsor Police Service
- York Regional Police
About WORLD DAY AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is observed on July 30 each year and was proclaimed by the United Nations general assembly as a day necessary to raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights.
