NCJ Number
208063
Journal
Gazette Volume: 66 Issue: 3 Dated: 2004 Pages: 8-9
Date Published
2004
Length
2 pages
Annotation
After reviewing the prevalence and nature of human trafficking in Canada, this article describes how Canadian law enforcement agencies have responded to this criminal enterprise.
Abstract
Unlike immigration smuggling, which involves people who willingly attempt to emigrate by unlawful means, human trafficking involves transporting and/or harboring people by means of coercion, deceit, violence, or threat of violence. Canada is largely a destination and a transit country for women who are trafficked for sexual exploitation. Most arrive from Asia, Latin America, Russia, and Eastern Europe. The Criminal Intelligence Directorate (CID) of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) estimates that between 1,500 and 2,200 persons are trafficked from Canada into the United States each year. The RCMP, through the Immigration and Passport (I&P) Program, is taking the lead in planning and organizing an international effort to investigate these crimes. As 1 of 77 signatories of the United Nations protocol to prevent, suppress, and punish trafficking in persons, Canada must comply with the international mandate to adopt and enforce measures to prevent human trafficking and protect its victims. This year (2004) the RCMP will establish a new Human Trafficking Unit to provide guidance and analytical support for domestic investigations across Canada and mount joint investigations with foreign law enforcement agencies. The RCMP is also participating in the Federal Interdepartmental Working Group on Trafficking in Persons, which includes 14 other partner agencies. The working group has been instructed by the Canadian Government to develop a national anti-trafficking strategy to prevent and prosecute traffickers and protect victims.