Ontario Establishing Advisory Roundtable with Survivors of Human Trafficking
Press Release
Members Will Provide Perspectives Based on their Lived Experience
August 22, 2017 2:00 P.M.
Ministry of Community and Social Services
Ontario is creating a new Human Trafficking Lived Experience Roundtable that will bolster the province’s efforts to end human trafficking through direct engagement with, and input from, survivors of trafficking.
The roundtable will be the first of its kind in Canada. It will be led by Jennifer Richardson, director of the provincial Anti-Human Trafficking Coordination Office, who has lived experience as a survivor of human trafficking.
Members will share their perspectives on a range of topics that will include:
- System, policy, and program changes that will remove barriers and result in better outcomes for survivors
- Engagement of other survivors or those with lived experience of human trafficking
- Ensuring Indigenous perspectives are represented
- How to measure the success of the strategy
This roundtable builds on the strong action the government has already taken through Ontario’s Strategy to End Human Trafficking, which aims to ensure that everyone in the province can live in safety – free from the threat, fear or experience of exploitation and violence.
Quick Facts
- Ontario’s Human Trafficking Lived Experience Roundtable will be the first formal survivor-led advisory roundtable advising a provincial anti-human trafficking strategy in Canada.
- To apply to be a member of the Human Trafficking Lived Experience Roundtable, please contact the Provincial Anti-Human Trafficking Coordination Office at AntiTraffickingOffice@ontario.ca
- The deadline for applications is Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, at 5 p.m.
- The work of the roundtable is expected to begin in fall 2017.
- The Strategy to End Human Trafficking includes an investment of up to $72 million in four areas of action: provincial leadership and coordination, Indigenous-led approaches, prevention and community supports, and enhanced justice sector initiatives.
- Ontario is a major centre for human trafficking in Canada, accounting for roughly 69 per cent of police-reported cases nationally in 2015.
- In Ontario, Indigenous women and girls are among the most targeted populations for human trafficking.
Additional Resources
- Ontario’s Strategy to End Human Trafficking and Progress Report
- Progress Report on It’s Never Okay, An Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment
- Walking Together: Ontario’s Long-Term Strategy to End Violence Against Indigenous Women
Quotes
“When Ontario’s Strategy to End Human Trafficking was launched, our government made a commitment to include the perspectives of survivors and people with lived experience. The creation of this advisory roundtable reflects the importance of having the perspectives of survivors and those with lived experience throughout the implementation of the strategy.”
“The need for perspectives from survivors of human trafficking is so important to make sure we’re getting it right. I look forward to working very closely with members of the Human Trafficking Lived Experience Table as we continue to implement Ontario’s Strategy to End Human Trafficking.”
“Human trafficking has a devastating impact on survivors and their families. Our government is working hard to put in place the supports needed so survivors can move on with their lives and heal. The Human Trafficking Lived Experience Roundtable is a vital step forward that puts survivors at the centre of our strategy to end this terrible crime.”
“Ontario’s efforts to end human trafficking are a key part of our strategy to end violence against Indigenous women. Human trafficking impacts grandmothers, aunties, sisters, daughters and entire communities and the only way to protect against and prevent these types of crimes, is to hear all perspectives on the issue, most importantly those with lived experience.”
Media Contacts
Lyndsay Miller
Minister’s Office
416-325-5572
Takiyah Tannis
Communications
416-325-0216
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