October 29, 2018- TORONTO
The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking answers the call to operate the first-ever Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline
TORONTO: The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking (The Centre) is honoured to announce that it has been selected by Public Safety Canada as the operator of the first Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline.
The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline will operate as a confidential, multilingual, 24/7/365 service for victims/survivors of both labour and sex trafficking who seek assistance and want to connect to social services, law enforcement and emergency services. The hotline will also take tips on suspected incidents from the public and assist callers by providing links to resources and information.
“Human trafficking is a hidden crime that is occurring in many communities across Canada,” said Barbara Gosse, CEO, of The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking. “The government has listened to the recommendations made by The Centre, and other stakeholders, and has committed to fighting this horrific crime.”
Anonymous data, collected by the hotline, will be used to inform anti-trafficking prevention and education campaigns, as well as policy and intervention efforts at national, provincial and local levels. Throughout fall and winter 2018/19 The Centre will continue to develop the hotline infrastructure including a robust national referral directory of service providers and law enforcement. The hotline is expected to launch in late Spring 2019.
“The Centre has been working to establish meaningful partnerships with front-line service providers and law enforcement in communities across the country to ensure our response to callers will be timely and appropriate to their needs and circumstances,” adds Ms. Gosse. “The hotline will provide a safe and confidential way to access help for those who are vulnerable, and those unlikely to contact authorities directly.”
The Centre would like to thank its donors, partners, committed front-line service providers, dedicated law enforcement agencies, staff, and board members who have supported the organization in its advocacy for a national human trafficking hotline.
-30-
For more information or an interview request:
Ashley Franssen-Tingley
Stakeholder Relations and Promotions Advisor
Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking
Email: AshleyFT@ccteht.ca
Phone: 437-993-7867
About the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking:
The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking is the only national charity that focuses on connecting victims and survivors with front-line service providers and law enforcement through a national hotline, and advocates for public policy change to end human trafficking in Canada.