In this issue: Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, toolkit on forced marriages and trafficking, report cards on migrant workers, and more...
Issue No. 8 - May 2013
E-BULLETIN CONTENTS
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Important policy developments on trafficking
Consultations Launched on Canadian Victims Bill of Rights
On 23 April, 2013, the government launched consultations with victims of crime, victim advocates and victim-serving organizations, with a view to developing a Canadian Victims Bill of Rights. The government proposes that the bill build on recent legislative changes.
Consultations on the Victims Bill of Rights are open to the public and will be hosted online from 1 May to 30 June 2013. For more information on how to participate, please visit the Department of Justice's website: http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/victims-victimes/vrights-droitsv/.
The CCR has commented on some of the recent legislative changes’ effects on trafficked persons. For further information, please visit: trafficking.ca.
Department of Justice, News Release, 23 April, 2013: http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/nr-cp/2013/doc_32876.html.
Backgrounder: Key Accomplishments for Victims of Crime: http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/nr-cp/2013/doc_32877.html.
Discussion Paper - Victims Rights: Enhancing Criminal Law Responses to Better Meet the Needs of Victims of Crime in Canada: http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/victims-victimes/vrights-droitsv/discuss-consult.html.
On 23 April, 2013, the government launched consultations with victims of crime, victim advocates and victim-serving organizations, with a view to developing a Canadian Victims Bill of Rights. The government proposes that the bill build on recent legislative changes.
Consultations on the Victims Bill of Rights are open to the public and will be hosted online from 1 May to 30 June 2013. For more information on how to participate, please visit the Department of Justice's website: http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/victims-victimes/vrights-droitsv/.
The CCR has commented on some of the recent legislative changes’ effects on trafficked persons. For further information, please visit: trafficking.ca.
Department of Justice, News Release, 23 April, 2013: http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/nr-cp/2013/doc_32876.html.
Backgrounder: Key Accomplishments for Victims of Crime: http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/nr-cp/2013/doc_32877.html.
Discussion Paper - Victims Rights: Enhancing Criminal Law Responses to Better Meet the Needs of Victims of Crime in Canada: http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/victims-victimes/vrights-droitsv/discuss-consult.html.
International developments
Rights, Residence, Rehabilitation: A Comparative Study Assessing Residence Options for Trafficked Persons, International Organization for Migration (IOM)
This study, carried out by the IOM, conducts a comparative legal and practice-based assessment of residence rights and options for internationally trafficked persons in four countries: Austria, Belgium, Italy, and the United States of America.
The study analyzes the recent increase in attention given to “reflection periods” and temporary resident permits as means to offer protection to trafficked persons. It compares the extent to which each country’s legal framework on residence options for trafficked persons is actually implemented. It offers a review of the challenges each country faces in facilitating assistance and protection to internationally trafficked persons. In Canada a similar evaluation of the implementation and effectiveness of the Temporary Resident Permit process is necessary and would be valuable to determine how to improve short-term and long-term protection measures for internationally trafficked persons.
“Rights, Residence, Rehabilitation: A Comparative Study Assessing Residence Options for Trafficked Persons”, IOM: http://publications.iom.int/bookstore/free/IML24.pdf.
This study, carried out by the IOM, conducts a comparative legal and practice-based assessment of residence rights and options for internationally trafficked persons in four countries: Austria, Belgium, Italy, and the United States of America.
The study analyzes the recent increase in attention given to “reflection periods” and temporary resident permits as means to offer protection to trafficked persons. It compares the extent to which each country’s legal framework on residence options for trafficked persons is actually implemented. It offers a review of the challenges each country faces in facilitating assistance and protection to internationally trafficked persons. In Canada a similar evaluation of the implementation and effectiveness of the Temporary Resident Permit process is necessary and would be valuable to determine how to improve short-term and long-term protection measures for internationally trafficked persons.
“Rights, Residence, Rehabilitation: A Comparative Study Assessing Residence Options for Trafficked Persons”, IOM: http://publications.iom.int/bookstore/free/IML24.pdf.
Reports and media
Police, social agencies tackle human trafficking in Waterloo Region, The Record, 6 May 2013: http://bit.ly/18M5qjK.
Prosecutor calls for law to bar Canadians from buying human organs overseas, Maclean’s, 29 April 2013: http://bit.ly/18hBfRa.
Historic human trafficking trial: Three young girls accused of running prostitution ring, Metro Toronto, 8 April 2013: http://bit.ly/Y9XCIi.
Human traffickers target Aboriginal girls, women, Wawatay News, 27 March 2013: http://bit.ly/10iGZqQ.
Prosecutor calls for law to bar Canadians from buying human organs overseas, Maclean’s, 29 April 2013: http://bit.ly/18hBfRa.
Historic human trafficking trial: Three young girls accused of running prostitution ring, Metro Toronto, 8 April 2013: http://bit.ly/Y9XCIi.
Human traffickers target Aboriginal girls, women, Wawatay News, 27 March 2013: http://bit.ly/10iGZqQ.
Announcements
TruckSTOP Campaign Material Available in French
Persons Against the Crime of Trafficking in Humans (PACT) Ottawa has produced a French language version of the TruckSTOP Campaign. The materials include audio CDs, wallet cards and posters and are available free of charge. Requests for French materials may be done online: http://fr.pact-ottawa.org/truckstop.html.
The TruckSTOP Campaign is an awareness initiative that provides frequent travelers with the knowledge they need to identify suspected cases of human trafficking and alert law enforcement. Truck drivers and frequent travelers are the “eyes of the road” and the first line of defence against human trafficking.
Further information about the campaign is available at: http://www.pact-ottawa.org/truckstop.html.
TruckSTOP Resources are available at: http://www.pact-ottawa.org/truckstop-resources.html.
Resource Information Guide to Human Trafficking Systems through Forced Marriages - South Asian Women’s Centre (SAWC)
The South Asian Women’s Centre (SAWC, Toronto) has developed a toolkit for service providers to help victims and survivors of forced marriages and human trafficking. The kit is part of a project that examines the intersectionality of Forced Marriage and Human Trafficking (FMHT) to develop best practices for assisting survivors. It explores Human Trafficking and Forced Marriage as part of the framework of domestic violence both before and after marriage.
The main aim of the project was to develop a training curriculum for service providers and front line staff to assist survivors of FMHT and a survivor’s guide.
The full kit is available online at: http://ccrweb.ca/en/resource-information-guide-human-trafficking-forced-marriages.
A brochure on FMHT is also available at: http://ccrweb.ca/en/sawc-forced-marriage-human-trafficking-brochure.
For further information about SAWC’s work, please visit their website: http://www.sawc.org.
Forum: “Human Trafficking for Forced Labour: Raising Awareness and Building Response”, FCJ Refugee Centre
On 23 April, the FCJ Refugee Centre held a forum in Toronto that focused on internationally trafficked persons for the purposes of forced labour in Canada, and the barriers to access services and protection for survivors of trafficking. The forum provided a global, national and local perspective on trafficking and prioritized the development of proactive recommendations and promising practices.
Presentations are now available online at: http://www.fcjrefugeecentre.org/our-impact/publications/.
Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (University of Alberta) Forum: “Trafficking of Women in the Ukraine: Governmental and Non-governmental Responses”
The University of Alberta’s Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies organized a forum on 22 March 2013 to discuss human trafficking and issues affecting both the Ukraine and Canada. Participants included scholars, community groups and government officials from both countries, which promoted an interdisciplinary response. The forum results will soon be made available online on the institute’s website.
Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies: http://www.ualberta.ca/CIUS/home-cius.htm.
News Release, University of Alberta: http://bit.ly/14sAJCC.
Persons Against the Crime of Trafficking in Humans (PACT) Ottawa has produced a French language version of the TruckSTOP Campaign. The materials include audio CDs, wallet cards and posters and are available free of charge. Requests for French materials may be done online: http://fr.pact-ottawa.org/truckstop.html.
The TruckSTOP Campaign is an awareness initiative that provides frequent travelers with the knowledge they need to identify suspected cases of human trafficking and alert law enforcement. Truck drivers and frequent travelers are the “eyes of the road” and the first line of defence against human trafficking.
Further information about the campaign is available at: http://www.pact-ottawa.org/truckstop.html.
TruckSTOP Resources are available at: http://www.pact-ottawa.org/truckstop-resources.html.
Resource Information Guide to Human Trafficking Systems through Forced Marriages - South Asian Women’s Centre (SAWC)
The South Asian Women’s Centre (SAWC, Toronto) has developed a toolkit for service providers to help victims and survivors of forced marriages and human trafficking. The kit is part of a project that examines the intersectionality of Forced Marriage and Human Trafficking (FMHT) to develop best practices for assisting survivors. It explores Human Trafficking and Forced Marriage as part of the framework of domestic violence both before and after marriage.
The main aim of the project was to develop a training curriculum for service providers and front line staff to assist survivors of FMHT and a survivor’s guide.
The full kit is available online at: http://ccrweb.ca/en/resource-information-guide-human-trafficking-forced-marriages.
A brochure on FMHT is also available at: http://ccrweb.ca/en/sawc-forced-marriage-human-trafficking-brochure.
For further information about SAWC’s work, please visit their website: http://www.sawc.org.
Forum: “Human Trafficking for Forced Labour: Raising Awareness and Building Response”, FCJ Refugee Centre
On 23 April, the FCJ Refugee Centre held a forum in Toronto that focused on internationally trafficked persons for the purposes of forced labour in Canada, and the barriers to access services and protection for survivors of trafficking. The forum provided a global, national and local perspective on trafficking and prioritized the development of proactive recommendations and promising practices.
Presentations are now available online at: http://www.fcjrefugeecentre.org/our-impact/publications/.
Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (University of Alberta) Forum: “Trafficking of Women in the Ukraine: Governmental and Non-governmental Responses”
The University of Alberta’s Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies organized a forum on 22 March 2013 to discuss human trafficking and issues affecting both the Ukraine and Canada. Participants included scholars, community groups and government officials from both countries, which promoted an interdisciplinary response. The forum results will soon be made available online on the institute’s website.
Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies: http://www.ualberta.ca/CIUS/home-cius.htm.
News Release, University of Alberta: http://bit.ly/14sAJCC.
Trafficking-related events
"The fight against sexual exploitation on the Internet", Second Theme Day, Quebec Institute of Clinical Sexology, Montreal, 31 May 2013"The fight against sexual exploitation on the Internet" ( « Lutter contre l'exploitation sexuelle sur Internet ») will take place the 31 May 2013 in Montreal at La Plaza - Halls. This Second Theme Day follows the event that took place in Quebec City on 15 March where experts discussed issues related to sexual exploitation on the Internet according to their field of expertise. This event will offer five new conferences to further deepen our knowledge related to the problem.
Further information and online registration is available at: http://exploitationsexuelle.com/colloque/presentation.
Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada Gathering on Human Trafficking, Winnipeg, 21 - 23 June 2013
This event will be a national women's gathering on human trafficking hosted by the Women's Inter-Church Council of Canada. It will take place 21 – 23 June 2013 in Winnipeg.
For further information, please visit: http://presbyterian.ca/2013/02/28/caught-in-traffick-wicc/.
Collaborative Summit on Combating Human Trafficking: “Together Let’s Stop Trafficking”, Ottawa, 14 – 17 November 2013
A collaborative summit will be held 14 - 17 November 2013 in Ottawa. This summit continues the first phase of a four-pronged program to build the world's first International Resource and Coordination Centre.
Further information about the event is available at: http://www.togetherletsstoptraffick.org/.
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