Protection For Victims of Human Trafficking

The experience of trafficked victims can include abuse, sexual assaults, malnutrition, organ removal, etc. They may also lack community ties and be isolated from family and friends. In extreme cases, a victim may feel an emotional attachment to their trafficker and not realize that they have been the victim of a crime. Trafficking victims also commonly blame themselves for what has happened to them, which can stop them from seeking help. Victims of trafficking may come from other countries and be wary of law enforcement for fear that they will be deported; they may also fear police or believe they will be in trouble with Canadian authorities. Gender, age, immigration or Aboriginal status or health conditions are factors that have an impact on the needs of victims, as does the victim's stage of exploitation or recovery.

Responsibility for protection of victims is shared between the federal Government and the Provinces/Territories. Provinces and Territories administer numerous programs and services that may be available to trafficking victims including: health care; emergency housing; social services including emergency financial assistance; and legal aid (assistance) programs under which eligibility is based primarily upon financial need. Civil society organizations also provide related social services, for example, through food banks. Although the services provided to victims of human trafficking are administered by the Provinces/Territories, some funding may come from the federal Government.

The Government of Canada develops and implements measures to protect victims of crime in general, and victims of trafficking in particular. The RCMP, CBSA and other law enforcement agencies also develop and provide training so front-line officers are sensitive to the special needs of victims. The Provinces and Territories also provide services to TIP victims. For more information on services available to victims see below

• Canadian Crime Stoppers Association National Tipline
• Temporary Resident Permits
• Witness Protection
• Other social support

Canadian Crime Stoppers Association National Tipline
(1-800-222-8477)

The Government of Canada is partnering with the Canadian Crime Stoppers Association to better inform the public about human trafficking through a national awareness campaign. The Crime Stoppers national tipline may also be used to report suspected cases of trafficking in persons, provide information on human trafficking, and receive reports of potential cases.

Temporary Resident Permit

Victims who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents may fear they will be immediately deported if they come to the attention of officials.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada can issue a "Temporary Resident Permit" (TRP) to foreign national victims of trafficking in Canada. The TRP is available upon application to provide legal immigration status to victims and enable them to commence recovery from their ordeal. The TRP is valid for up to 180 days and may be renewed. It provides access to health care (including counselling), and allows the victim to apply for a fee-exempt work permit which legally entitles a person to work in Canada. In certain cases a long-term TRP may be issued for up to three years. Victims of trafficking are not required to assist in any criminal investigation or testify against their trafficker in order to receive immigration status.

For more information on the TRP process see: Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Witness Protection

Canada has laws to protect victims against intimidation or retaliation if they report these criminal offences or testify against their trafficker. It is an offence to intimidate a justice system participant (a victim or witness) and is punishable by a maximum of 14 years imprisonment.

Canada also has the Witness Protection Program Act that may be available to safeguard persons who are assisting police. This protection can include relocation, accommodation, change of identity, counselling, and financial support to ensure the person's security and help them re-establish their life and become self-sufficient. British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec manage their own witness protection programs. Throughout human trafficking investigations, the safety of the victim or witness is constantly assessed in order to determine the safety needs of victims or witnesses.

Other Social Support

There are often resources available to help victims at the community level. This may include: 9-1-1 emergency services, medical care, emergency shelters, transition homes for abused women, rape crisis services, victim service programs, legal aid clinics for those who cannot afford a lawyer, organizations for newcomers to Canada, and more. For more information on where to get help, click here.

Many of the resources and organizations that can provide help can be found through local community centres, faith-based institutions, public libraries, in the phone book, on the Internet, by contacting your local police services, at your local victim services office, or by asking people in your community.

Facilitating Victim Testimony

Canada's broad legal framework also includes a variety of provisions to assist a victim or witness to testify in a criminal proceeding against a trafficker. Research demonstrates that when victims are supported through the criminal justice process, there is an increased likelihood that they will support the prosecution.

The Criminal Code contains a number of testimonial aids to assist vulnerable witnesses in providing their testimony. The judge may allow the presence of a support person during testimony or testimony via closed-circuit television or behind a screen or other device ( section 486.1 and 486.2 ). A judge may also allow evidence to be received through the use of audio or video technology ( section 714.1 ). Judges may also order the exclusion of the public from the courtroom ( section 486 )and impose a publication ban to prevent the publication, broadcast or transmission of any information that could identify a victim or witness (section 486.4 and 486.5 ).

Victims Services

The Policy Centre for Victim Issues (PCVI) at the Department of Justice Canada is mandated to work toward improving the experience of victims of crime in the criminal justice system. The Policy Centre for Victim Issues (PCVI) engages in legislative reform, consultation, policy development, research, and project funding. The Policy Centre for Victim Issues (PCVI) does not however provide criminal injuries compensation to victims of crime. The Policy Centre for Victim Issues (PCVI) has a close working relationship with the provinces and territories that are tasked with the responsibility for victim service delivery and the provision of criminal injuries compensation to victims of violent crime, where such programs exist. For more information on the Policy Centre for Victim Issues (PCVI).

For information on the services provided to victims of crimes in your jurisdiction, please contact the provincial or territorial government Victims Services number located in the blue pages of your telephone book. Or click on the links provided below.

Provincial / Territorial Government Resources

In July 2007, the Province of British Columbia has established the Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons (OCTIP) opened under the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General with a mandate to develop and coordinate B.C.'s response to human trafficking. This is the first office of its kind in Canada.