London has the fifth-highest number of reported human trafficking cases in Canada, according to a report released Nov. 1 by Statistics Canada. In 2023, there were 570 cases of human trafficking reported across Canada, with 24 of those incidents occurring in London. Human trafficking refers to the illegal recruitment, transportation, harboring, or sale of people without their consent. Over the past decade, 45% of all human trafficking cases in Canada have been reported in five cities: London, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, and Ottawa.
London’s geographical location plays a significant role in its status as a trafficking hub. Situated between Toronto and the Detroit-Windsor border and close to Highway 401, the city is a prime location for traffickers to move victims discreetly. The highway is lined with numerous hotels and motels, some of which are suspected of either turning a blind eye to or being complicit in trafficking activities. This issue was highlighted in the documentary Dark Highway, which was screened at the Forest City Film Festival. In Canada, sex trafficking is the most prevalent form of human trafficking.
Ontario’s human trafficking rate stands at 2.1 cases per 100,000 people, higher than the national average of 1.4. This may be partly due to a previous legal gap in Ontario’s Child and Family Services Act, which limited the ability of police and social workers to intervene if a vulnerable teen refused help. According to Gary Bezaire, a detective in the London Police Service’s Human Trafficking Unit, this loophole was a significant challenge in combating child sex trafficking. In 2021, the Ontario government amended the legislation, allowing social workers and police to temporarily remove minors from potentially exploitative situations for up to 12 hours to offer support and resources.
The report highlights that human trafficking is a “gendered crime,” with 93% of reported cases between 2013 and 2023 involving female victims. Additionally, children are disproportionately affected, with 23% of cases involving victims under the age of 18. Statistics Canada also reveals that 91% of trafficking victims know their trafficker, with 34% being trafficked by intimate partners and 22% by acquaintances. Traffickers often target victims through online platforms and social media, exploiting their vulnerabilities. In some cases, traffickers use “bottom girls”—long-term victims who help recruit new victims—to gain trust. These recruits may be motivated by self-preservation, believing that recruiting others will reduce their own exploitation.
Human trafficking cases are notoriously difficult to prosecute, as many survivors are unwilling to testify in court due to the trauma they would relive. Although the number of cases brought to trial has increased in the past decade, only 10% result in convictions. As one expert put it, “You can sell drugs once, and if you get caught, you get caught with the drugs. But you can sell a woman again and again, and even if you get caught, she may not testify against you.” Human traffickers can earn an estimated $230,000 per victim annually. Experts stress that many victims may not initially recognize that they are being trafficked until it is too late, and they urge anyone experiencing exploitation or violence to seek help.
