Canada Doesn't Protect Trafficked Children

The CCR Youth Network demands that Canada protect trafficked children.

 

What is human trafficking?

A person who is trafficked is kept under the control of traffickers and exploited in some way, sometimes after having been transported across a border.

For example:

A child is brought into Canada with a family. He is not sent to school: instead he is made to work in the home.

A young woman is brought to Canada to work as a domestic servant. Her passport is taken away from her and she is forced to work long hours while receiving no pay. 

 

What happens to survivors of human

trafficking in Canada?

Trafficking happens in Canada, but Canadian law DOES NOT PROTECT trafficked persons, including children. DETAINED and DEPORTED, they are treated more as criminals than as victims of a crime. 

 

Is Canada respecting its obligations under the

UN Convention on the rights of the child when

it comes to trafficked children?

NO! Detaining and deporting children without considering their best interest goes against the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child!  As a result, an 11-year-old girl spent a month alone in detention in 2008.

 

Art 3 (1). In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.

 

 

What should the government do?

The CCR Youth Network demands that Canada protect trafficked children.

 

Want to learn more about this issue and how to get involved? 

The CCR has a campaign called Protecting Trafficked Persons in Canada - visit the website to get started!