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Reaching Out to Women/Girls ...

FROM HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Our vision has been and will remain, to open our first emergency shelter in Leeds and Grenville.
This shelter will be for girls/women needing a safe place
to stay after being rescued.

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Why
Opening an Emergency Shelter?

By providing a safe haven, Police/Victim Services 

will be able to... 

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At a Glance

Beacon Bags is a non-profit organization with a heart for women/girls who have escaped from  human trafficking here in

South Eastern Ontario.

Our purpose is to educate and increase awareness around this issue with the ultimate goal of opening up a home that provides a safe haven for those affected. 

Image by Allef Vinicius

GLOBAL
Human Trafficking Victims

49.6 million people
and 12 million of them are children. 

CANADA
Human Trafficking Victims

Over 100,000 people.
87% Large urban centres (100,000+)      8% Mid-sized cities (30,000-99,999)  
5% Small towns and rural communities (less than 30,000)                                                                

OUR BACKYARD, WHICH IS SO DEAR
TO OUR COMMUNITY,
IS CURRENTLY FACING A CRISIS.

This crisis is stealing our children from their homes, schools, playgrounds, etc.
Everything you read in the news is happening right here in South Eastern Ontario. 


Learn more about it.
HOW IT HAPPENS
Stages of human trafficking

Luring - Grooming/Gifts - Coercion/Manipulation - Exploitation - Recruitment

Three Main Categories

Sexual Exploitation - Forced Labor - Organ Removal (Selling)

Recruiting Tactics

Human traffickers meet their victims in person, online, or through mutual connections. They identify vulnerabilities, such as:

Traffickers may use tactics on their victims, such as: - showering victims with affection and gifts (like jewelry, designer clothing and designer bags) - promising an exciting lifestyle and money - offering work, education, or financial support for their families They approach potential victims in various ways, including: - pretending to be a love interest, friend, or sponsor - advertising jobs and opportunities in newspapers or online - resorting to threats or kidnapping - connecting through social media platforms Risk factors Human traffickers can target anyone, as they are skilled manipulators and predators. They exploit the vulnerabilities of potential victims, such as: - the desire for love or belonging - substance addiction - financial struggles - language barriers Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police ​

Online Grooming

Although social media platforms are a great way to keep in touch with friends and family, especially during a pandemic, these platforms are also increasingly being used by traffickers and other sexual predators to lure and recruit young people into sexual acts or services. 

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Recognize the red flags
and/or behaviour

Unfortunately, sex trafficking is still foreign to many of us. We do not know or recognize the signs that someone who could be caught in this ugly trafficking. 

We all have young girls/women around us, let's pay attention and be aware of those signs.  

Signs that someone may be being trafficked Changes in behaviour, physical appearance, belongings and relationships with family and friends can be signs that someone might be a victim of human trafficking. Signs to watch for include: Behaviours and activities: - are repeatedly missing from home and/or have been frequently reported missing to police - are being secretive about their activities - begin staying out more often and later - are absent from school or there is a decline in school performance - use new or increased methods of transportation, such as taxis, ride-hailing or sharing applications - are not allowed to speak for themselves and their activities are controlled by someone else - seem fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, nervous or paranoid (they may avoid eye contact or seem fearful around police) - move frequently and may not know their surroundings well - are repaying a large debt through labour or sex (including sexual imagery/filming) - are unpaid or paid very little to work and seem to be treated poorly (long or unusual hours, not allowed breaks or forced to live in poor conditions) Relationships with family or friends: - are withdrawing or isolating from family and friends - have a new boyfriend, girlfriend or friend who they won’t introduce to friends and family - suddenly spend time with an older person or people Physical appearance and belongings: - begin wearing more sexualized clothing - have new clothing and jewellery that they can’t afford to buy - show signs of physical abuse, such as bruising, cigarette burns or fractures - have tattooing or branding symbols, particularly names - suddenly have a new or second cell phone with a secret number - don’t have their own belongings or money, and don’t control their own passport or other documents - seem malnourished or lack medical care Source: ontario.ca

Warning Signs

Recognize the Signs

Victims of human trafficking may:

  • not be able to explain their circumstances

  • be unaware of the location of their docu­ments (that is passport, identification)

  • unaware of surroundings despite having been in the area for an extended period of time

  • not be able to move or leave their job

  • have tattooing, or branding to indicate ownership

  • from a foreign country and neither speak English nor French and/or not speak on their own behalf

  • have bruises, show signs of abuse and/or malnutrition

  • show evidence of being controlled, intimidat­ed, or afraid

  • frequently moved or accompanied by their trafficker

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

​Talk to Someone

If there is immediate danger or if you suspect someone is being trafficked, call 911 or your local police service.

If you or someone you know is in need of support or you want to report a potential case call the Canadian human trafficking hotline1-833-900-1010.

It’s confidential, toll-free and open 24/7.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Have a voice for the voiceless

"Christine," a woman from Winnipeg, tells CBC News

about her experience as the victim of human trafficking, saying the law

did not protect her.

 

Watch the 3 min video

​

Interview with Doreen Barnes
host of FYI - YourTV - Cogeco and
Derrick Flynn
from Beacon Bags.   

Thank you to Cogeco and Doreen Barnes for this insightful interview.

Doreen, with her vast experience in communication, demonstrated exceptional listening skills and posed engaging questions.

Her ability to create a comfortable atmosphere made the interview

enjoyable and kept the audience captivated.

We  truly appreciate the opportunity to share about this issue that is

widespread among our community and our vision to make an impact.

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OUR REGION - SOUTH EASTERN ONTARIO

Our region spans from Belleville to Cornwall and from Ottawa to Pembroke.

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The power of your testimony

Sharing your victory with others can be so  powerful.  It encourages anyone who is caught in the same predicament to reach out for help. 

Many thanks to  those who shared their testimony. 

''Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.''

Martin Luther King , Jr.

Sierra - Determined to speak out. She spoke in public for the first time   at the Anti-Human Trafficking - Day of Learning in Long Sault.

Nicole Victim of

human trafficking shares her story 

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Karly - Survivor who works in collaboration with the Durham Regional Police Service Human Trafficking Unit.

Casandra - Survivor

''Sex trafficking may be happening behind the walls of businesses you pass by daily.''

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We would love to extend a hand...

We understand wholeheartedly how hard it is to share such an inconceivable testimony as yours, and at the same time, how it could be so helpful and liberating to yourself and to others. Sharing your story becomes a valuable resource which gives not only to those who have experienced this type of ordeal, but is also gives hope and encouragement to others. Young people who are victims of sex trafficking often lose hope of getting out and wonder if anything good will ever happen to them. Hearing your inestimable life story might be just what they need to reignite hope and courage to help them believe again. If you want to or have a testimony to share, rest assured that I will personally guide you and support you through this process, you are not alone. Please, do not hesitate to contact me at 613 213 2859. Denise

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