Anti-Human Trafficking
Overview
We raise awareness to the injustice of sexual exploitation affecting marginalized people, especially racialized women, youth, and children.
Interested in hosting a webinar for your group or parish? Contact us to learn more.
If you believe someone may be a victim of human trafficking, call the 24/7 Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010 or report any emergency to law enforcement by calling 911. Recognize the signs of human trafficking here, as outlined by the RCMP.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is prostitution harmful?
- Prostitution is inherently violent [1].
The world of prostitution is prone to violence, depression, dehumanization, disease, and addiction. Prostituted women suffer from mental health problems, high rates of head injuries, suicidal attempts, disassociation, PTSD and higher rates of mortality than the average woman. 70-95% of women experience physical assault, 60-75% were raped, 95% experienced sexual harassment that in other industries would result in legal action. [2]
“There is no other job on the planet fraught with so much danger as prostitution and in no other so-called profession are so many women murdered each year.” [3]
“You lie to yourself to ease the pain, keeping a smile on your face while wishing he’d just hurry up and finish.” [4]
“Fifteen years later, I still get flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks and have a deep mistrust of men.” [5]
[1] Preamble, https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/AnnualStatutes/2014_25/page-1.htm
[2] Farley, Melissa
[3] Malarek, Victor. The Johns: Sex for Sale and the Men Who Buy it. Key Porter Books, Toronto, 2019.p87
[4] Nordicmodelnow.org
[5] Nordicmodelnow.org
- Prostitution is inherently violent [1].
- What drives the prostitution industry?
- The prostitution industry is driven by male demand, based on the myth of male entitlement. It is an imbalance of power whereby a buyer hands over cash to a woman to gain access to her body for one-sided pleasure. This is not equality, rather, power over a woman, making her do what he wants, whenever he wants. There is no consent when money is involved. Within the prostitution industry, there is no such thing as safe sex.
“Punters don’t think the violence they do is real – because they view the women as sub-human. So, it’s nothing happening to nothing.” [6]
“89% of 854 interviewed wanted to escape prostitution but were forced to remain in it because they had no other options for survival.” [7]
[6] Nordicmodelnow.org
[7] Farley, Melissa. Journal of Trauma Practice. 2003
- The prostitution industry is driven by male demand, based on the myth of male entitlement. It is an imbalance of power whereby a buyer hands over cash to a woman to gain access to her body for one-sided pleasure. This is not equality, rather, power over a woman, making her do what he wants, whenever he wants. There is no consent when money is involved. Within the prostitution industry, there is no such thing as safe sex.
- What is the economy of prostitution or organized sexual exploitation?
- Prostitution is a lucrative industry on backs of vulnerable persons. Sex buyers pour around $15B in revenue into this industry annually with the proceeds supporting organized criminal networks.[8] The lobby advocating for legalization is influenced and controlled by money hungry pimps and traffickers with the only focus of making money, regardless of the cost to the human person.
“The German model is producing hell on earth. The lives and rights of the women are sacrificed, but for what? These women are sacrificed so that some men can have sex whenever they want. Women have become a resource, to be used as efficiently as possible for profit.” [9]
[8] Hood, Melody. Trafficking at Illicit Massage Parlors Hidden in Plain Sight. January 31, 2018
[9] Kraus, Dr. Ingeborg. Prostitution Policy and Law: What are the Options? Nordic Model Now! July 4, 2017, pg.7
- Prostitution is a lucrative industry on backs of vulnerable persons. Sex buyers pour around $15B in revenue into this industry annually with the proceeds supporting organized criminal networks.[8] The lobby advocating for legalization is influenced and controlled by money hungry pimps and traffickers with the only focus of making money, regardless of the cost to the human person.
- What are the pathways to prostitution?
- Prostitution is fueled by pornography, both involving the purchase of another’s body for sexual gratification. Child sexual abuse and pornography are the pathways to prostitution, contributing to normalizing violence towards women. For many victims of early childhood abuse, abuse becomes the norm to be expected. Lack of options is another pathway into prostitution.
One buyer said, “I am a sadist, I enjoy inflicting pain. I enjoy punishing my subs (submissive women)” [10]
[10] Malarek, pg. 216
- Prostitution is fueled by pornography, both involving the purchase of another’s body for sexual gratification. Child sexual abuse and pornography are the pathways to prostitution, contributing to normalizing violence towards women. For many victims of early childhood abuse, abuse becomes the norm to be expected. Lack of options is another pathway into prostitution.
- Who are most affected?
- Prostitution is racism. “Aboriginal people make up just 4% of the population but a study in 2014 found they account for about ½ of the victims of trafficking–Public Safety Canada calls them the country’s ‘most vulnerable to exploitation.’ ‘Human trafficking is costing aboriginal people their lives,’ says Rose Henry, a first Nations Educator in Victoria.” [11]
“Courtney, an advocate for women abused in prostitution, based in Vancouver, Canada, says, ‘The sex trade is built on racism and colonization as well as misogyny. For Native women and African American women, and all women and girls of colour, it is yet another way in which the white man takes what he wants from our communities, our cultures and our souls.’” [12]
[11] The Trafficked: Sexual Exploitation is Costing Canadian Women Their Lives. May 19, 2017. Globe and Mail.
[12] Bindel, Julie. The Pimping of Prostitution. Palgrave Macmillan: United Kingdom, 2017 pg. 103.
- Prostitution is racism. “Aboriginal people make up just 4% of the population but a study in 2014 found they account for about ½ of the victims of trafficking–Public Safety Canada calls them the country’s ‘most vulnerable to exploitation.’ ‘Human trafficking is costing aboriginal people their lives,’ says Rose Henry, a first Nations Educator in Victoria.” [11]
- How can it be work?
- Prostitution is not work, rather, a response to men’s sexual appetite on his terms. The age of entry is 14 years. 80% were in the trade well before they turned 18. [13] This could be called labour exploitation.
“During the months that I spent in the strip club, I was pressured to sleep with managers, who threatened to make my life a living hell if I didn’t—though I couldn’t imagine it getting any worse than it already was. The same went for patrons, mostly older, drooling men who wanted to handle me in the most lecherous way. I wasn’t just dancing for them; I was expected to service them. You may be thinking that I was foolish to even consider trying the avenue of stripping. I wasn’t foolish; I was vulnerable, naïve and a perfect target.” [14]
“At the time I was working I probably would have said that I saw prostitution as my ‘informed choice’. I was not aware of the slow, insidious accumulative effects it was having on me.” —Rebecca [15]
[13] Malerak, pg. 284
[14] Cassandra, Diamond. How I was Recruited into Sex Trafficking. Oct. 18, 2019
[15] Nordicmodelnow.org
- Prostitution is not work, rather, a response to men’s sexual appetite on his terms. The age of entry is 14 years. 80% were in the trade well before they turned 18. [13] This could be called labour exploitation.
- Does prostitution lead to sex trafficking?
- Legalizing or fully decriminalizing prostitution leads to an increase in sex trafficking of women and children. Women are lured in from other poor countries because they are desperate for money. There are not enough local women to supply the demand. With legalization, the state becomes the pimp; thus, a gift to buyers and governments.
“I was a prostitute for 15 years and I have never met a sex worker. The name stems… from the people who support and benefit from the commodification of women. I know prostituted women – I have even been one.” —Trisha Baptie, Canadian Journalist and Survivor.[16]
[16] Raymond, Janice. Not a Choice, Not a Job, Exposing the Myths about Prostitution and the Global Sex Trade. Potomac Books, Virginia, 2013. pg.7
- Legalizing or fully decriminalizing prostitution leads to an increase in sex trafficking of women and children. Women are lured in from other poor countries because they are desperate for money. There are not enough local women to supply the demand. With legalization, the state becomes the pimp; thus, a gift to buyers and governments.
- What are the impacts?
- Prostitution is organized sexual exploitation related to other crimes such as sex tourism, pornography, assault, robbery, trafficking, murder, money laundering, rape, gang activity, etc.
“As Chelsea, a young woman I met in Auckland, who was prostituted in the decriminalized brothels of New Zealand, tells me: ‘If you work on the streets, your pimps are gangs. If you work in a brothel, your pimps are businessmen. What happens is that we’re treated like employees when it suits them so when he tells us when we can work and what we have to do when it suits them. We’re treated like as independent contractors when it comes to tax. So, we occupy this nowhere land and that means we have no rights, no protection and there’s nothing we can do about it.” [17]
[17] Bindel, pg. 98
- Prostitution is organized sexual exploitation related to other crimes such as sex tourism, pornography, assault, robbery, trafficking, murder, money laundering, rape, gang activity, etc.
- How can I help alleviate human trafficking?
- Set a high standard of love within your home and build a strong mutual relationship with your children. Talk to your children about respectful relationships, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, dangers of social media, and pornography. Recognize the links between pornography, prostitution and trafficking.
Read and learn from various resources outlined here.
Meet with and/or write to your local elected officials to let them know you care about combating human trafficking and ask what they are doing to address it.
Encourage your school or school district to include human trafficking in their curricula and/or invite a guest speaker to your school.
Contact our ministry to host webinars for your group/parish.
Help university students learn more about what is happening on campus. Watch this recording of Andrea Heinz’s talk and download the Nordic Model Now! Handbook for Universities.
Become a member of Dignity Inherent, a group of young Canadians dedicated to educating our peers on prostitution and trafficking issues in our country. <mailto:dignityinherent@gmail.com>
- Set a high standard of love within your home and build a strong mutual relationship with your children. Talk to your children about respectful relationships, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, dangers of social media, and pornography. Recognize the links between pornography, prostitution and trafficking.
Resources
Articles
‘Sex work’ a violation of human dignity (Sept. 2026)
Boys vulnerable to the growing online danger of ‘sextortion’ (July 2026)
Q&A with Sr. Nancy Brown, tireless advocate of human trafficking victims (Dec. 2024)
The impact of human trafficking on mental health (Pacific Medical Training, Oct. 2024)
Anti-trafficking committee pleased as court strikes down Charter challenge of sex-work law (Sept. 2023)
The questions Sound of Freedom doesn’t answer (July 2023)
Human trafficking in Canada has parallels with 19th-century slavery (Jan. 2023)
Report on prostitution slammed for adopting language of activists (June 2022)
Repealing Prostitution law would leave women less protected Vancouver lawyer tells committee (March 2022)
Archdiocese of Vancouver calls for enforcement, strengthening of Canada’s anti-prostitution law (Feb. 2022)
Canadian sculptor’s latest work shines light on human trafficking (Feb. 2022)
Prostitution is not an acceptable solution for female poverty (Dec. 2021)
Canadian bishops’ anti-trafficking letter ‘a wakeup call’ for politicians (Dec. 2021)
Prayers
A Prayer for the End of Human Trafficking
God of freedom, beauty and truth
we believe that your deepest desire,
your most powerful energy,
is that all creation might know abundant life.
We raise our voices in anguished prayer
for our sisters and brothers,
women and girls, men and boys,
who are modern day slaves;
They are your beloved daughters and sons,
exploited sexually or forced to work
because of human violence and greed.
Fill us with your holy anger and your sacred passion
that those who are trafficked might know healing and justice;
that traffickers will come to repentance and conversion;
that all of us might live in such a way
that others are not made to pay the price
for our comfort and convenience.
Hasten the coming of the day when all people
and our precious Earth itself
will be treated, not as a commodity,
but as radiant images of your freedom, beauty and truth.
Amen. May it be so.
<p class="text-color-gray text-size-small">Source: Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, N.J. </p>
Intercessions
We remember today, loving God, those who are victims of slavery and all those who work to restore their dignity and we pray:
“As brothers and sisters, therefore, all people are in relation with others, from whom they differ, but with whom they share the same origin, nature and dignity.”
<p style="color: #9A7109">We pray that the dignity of all humanity may be respected.</p>
“Slavery is rooted in a notion of the human person which allows him or her to be treated as an object… Whether by coercion or deception, or by physical or psychological duress, human persons created in the image and likeness of God are deprived of their freedom, sold and reduced to being the property of others. They are treated as means to an end.”
<p style="color: #9A7109">We pray that the dignity of all humanity may be respected.</p>
For “the many men and women labourers, including minors, subjugated in different sectors, whether formally or informally, in domestic or agricultural workplaces, or in the manufacturing or mining industry; whether in countries where labour regulations fail to comply with international norms and minimum standards, or, equally illegally, in countries which lack legal protection for workers’ rights.”
<p style="color: #9A7109">We pray that the dignity of all humanity may be respected.</p>
For “persons forced into prostitution, many of whom are minors, as well as male and female sex slaves. I think of women forced into marriage, those sold for arranged marriages and those bequeathed to relatives of their deceased husbands, without any right to give or withhold their consent.”
<p style="color: #9A7109">We pray that the dignity of all humanity may be respected. </p>
For “all those persons, minors and adults alike, who are made objects of trafficking for the sale of organs, for recruitment as soldiers, for begging, for illegal activities such as the production and sale of narcotics, or for disguised forms of cross-border adoption.”
<p style="color: #9A7109">We pray that the dignity of all humanity may be respected.</p>
<p class="text-color-gray text-size-small">Source: Sisters of Mercy - Mid-Atlantic</p>
Publications
Cardus Research Report: Is "Sex Work" Actually Work?
A Cardus research paper explores issues of human dignity, liberty, and prostitution policy in Canada
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For Freedom Christ Has Set Us Free: Pastoral Letter on Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation in Canada
This CCCB publication primarily focuses on injustice towards women and girls, calling all Christians to respect the human dignity of all persons and their human rights, as expressed in the social justice teachings of the Church.
Human Trafficking in Canada: A Leadership and Learning Kit for Churches
A publication from the Canadian Council of Churches that facilitates learning, theological reflection, and common action on human trafficking in Canada.
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Pastoral Letter on a Grave Social Issue
Archbishop Michael Miller, former Archbishop of Vancouver, addresses the legislative void on prostitution.
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Pastoral Orientations on Human Trafficking
The Orientations, approved by Pope Francis, are for use by Catholic dioceses, parishes and religious congregations, schools and universities, by Catholic and other organizations of civil society and by any groups willing to respond to the call for mobilization. Besides their implementation in local programs as well as collaboration at a distance, the Orientations also offer key points for homilies, education and media.
Videos
Andrea Heinz’s Speech
Andrea Heinz is a Canadian who spent seven years in the licensed commercial sex trade as an escort, dominatrix, and brothel owner. Now a sex trade abolitionist, she works to educate both professionals and the public on sexual exploitation and the harm in “sex work” ideology. Her speech was presented at the launch of Nordic Model Now! Handbook for Universities, which sets out a holistic and comprehensive approach to university policy around the sex industry and how best to support students who have been impacted by it.
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Buyer Beware: Ending Commercial Sexual Exploitation
A public lecture by Valiant Richey on the Demand Reduction Model, piloted in King County, Seattle, Washington, to reduce commercial sexual exploitation. This model focuses on the participants in these crimes who do have a choice: the buyers who drive demand.
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Finding Hope in the Fight Against Human Trafficking
This webinar by the Catholic Women's League of Canada features three dynamic women who will not only inspire and motivate but will provide concrete actions moving forward.
“[St. Josephine Bakhita’s example] is a call to take action, to mobilize all our resources in combating trafficking and restoring full dignity to those who have been its victims. If we close our eyes and ears, if we do nothing, we will be guilty of complicity.” —Pope Francis
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Unbound: A Conversation Against Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is happening in Canada and at least 90% is domestic trafficking. It has been described as “modern day slavery” and the average age gets younger and younger. As the demand (buying) increases, so does the trafficking of more women and girls for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
Websites
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline – Whether you’re being trafficked, you know someone who is, or you’re a trafficking survivor, you can reach out 24/7.
Center for Exploitation Education – A nonprofit that tackles not just the symptoms but the very root of human trafficking and exploitation
Culture Reframed – Helping kids build resilience and resistance to hypersexualized media and pornography
Defend Dignity – Helping Canadians become informed and involved in the work of ending sexual exploitation.
Government of Canada - Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA) All forms of pimping are manipulative and deceptive. The current law criminalizes the buyer of sexual services while protecting the prostituted person and offering exiting services.
RCMP – On recognizing and reporting human trafficking
Talitha Kum – International network of consecrated life against trafficking in persons
Alliance to End Human Trafficking – A collaborative, faith-based national network that offers education, supports access to survivor services, and engages in advocacy to end human trafficking.
Events
Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita
Feb. 8 is the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, who was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery in Sudan and Italy. Canonized in 2000, she is patroness of victims of human trafficking. Her feast day is the International Day for Prayer and Reflection on Human Trafficking, reflecting the late Pope Francis’ interest in the issue.
National Day for Human Trafficking Awareness
Observed annually on Feb. 22, this day raises awareness that human trafficking for the purpose of prostitution is still happening in Canada and is destroying the lives of women, girls and youth.
Education and advocacy are critical so as to ensure our current law, the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA), is retained and enforced throughout the country. Any movement to legalize prostitution or fully decriminalize the buying of sex would only further marginalize our women, girls and youth.
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Contact
4885 Saint John Paul II Way, Vancouver, BC V5Z 0G3
Phone: (604) 683-0281 | Fax: (604) 683-4288
4885 Saint John Paul II Way, Vancouver, BC V5Z 0G3
Phone: 604 683 0281
Fax: 604 683 4288
The Archdiocese of Vancouver acknowledges that the land on which we gather and work is the traditional and ancestral territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of thexʷməθkʷəy̓əm(Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.