Human Trafficking and the Law: How to Protect Trafficked Persons

Since 2003, the Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) has provided leadership and support at a national level for NGOs concerned about trafficked non-citizens, including women, girls, as well as other vulnerable communities in Canada. CCR’s main anti-trafficking activities include creating and maintaining a national network, hosting regular national meetings, developing policy analysis and practical tools for service providers, and engaging with the government about access to protection for trafficked persons.

In the course of its work, the CCR has identified challenges in access to justice for trafficked and potentially trafficked persons. The intention of this guide is to increase the capacity of lawyers to identify and respond to the needs of trafficked or potentially trafficked persons.

The information in this guide will help legal practitioners, especially immigration and refugee lawyers to:

  • Recognize the signs of human trafficking
  • Understand the provisions against human trafficking in Canadian law and the various legal remedies
  • for supporting trafficking survivors
  • Understand best practices for respecting professional ethics

Also see these at-a-glance companion resources: