9,075
edits
Difference between revisions of "Combatting Human Trafficking"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Combatting Human Trafficking (view source)
Revision as of 18:20, 28 March 2014
, 18:20, 28 March 2014→Canadian law
Drew Jackson (talk | contribs) |
Drew Jackson (talk | contribs) |
||
| Line 40: | Line 40: | ||
For the complete text of these ''Criminal Code'' and ''Immigration and Refugee Protection Act'' sections, visit [http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng laws.justice.gc.ca]. | For the complete text of these ''Criminal Code'' and ''Immigration and Refugee Protection Act'' sections, visit [http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng laws.justice.gc.ca]. | ||
==Federal efforts== | |||
In 2012, Canada created the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking. This plan | In 2012, Canada created the ''[http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/ntnl-ctn-pln-cmbt/index-eng.aspx National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking]'' . This plan committed $25 million over four years to strengthen Canada's efforts to prevent, detect and prosecute human trafficking as well as assist trafficked persons. A Human Trafficking Task Force led by Public Safety Canada has been established. | ||
For more information visit [http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/cntrng-crm/hmn-trffckng/index-eng.aspx www.publicsafety.gc.ca | For more information visit [http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/cntrng-crm/hmn-trffckng/index-eng.aspx www.publicsafety.gc.ca]. | ||
==British Columbia's efforts== | |||
BC's Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons (OCTIP) is responsible for the overall coordination of the provincial strategy to address human trafficking. Fighting human trafficking requires a multidisciplinary response involving participation from all levels of government. The OCTIP works with both federal and provincial governments, law enforcement, academic organizations and community agencies. | BC's Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons (OCTIP) is responsible for the overall coordination of the provincial strategy to address human trafficking. Fighting human trafficking requires a multidisciplinary response involving participation from all levels of government. The OCTIP works with both federal and provincial governments, law enforcement, academic organizations and community agencies. | ||
| Line 52: | Line 52: | ||
[[File:BC Action Plan-Wikibook.jpg| link= ]] | [[File:BC Action Plan-Wikibook.jpg| link= ]] | ||
OCTIP's mandate is to: | |||
* | *support communities in building local capacity to address human trafficking — from prevention to service provision, | ||
* | *raise awareness and provide training and education, | ||
* | *identify gaps and barriers in services, policies and legislation that impede trafficked persons' internationally-protected human rights, and | ||
* | *contribute to national and international efforts to combat human trafficking. | ||
British Columbia has a BC Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking which lays out three key priorities and five priority action areas for responding to human trafficking issues across the province for the years 2013-2016. | British Columbia has a ''[http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/octip/docs/action-plan.pdf BC Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking]'' which lays out three key priorities and five priority action areas for responding to human trafficking issues across the province for the years 2013-2016. | ||
==Law enforcement== | |||
Canada's national police force, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), has established a Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre. The RCMP, municipal police forces, Canada Border Services Agency, non-government community organizations, and immigration lawyers in BC continue to work together to develop strategies to stop human trafficking. | |||
*'''Prevention''': Increase public awareness to help identify possible victims and traffickers, improve education for law enforcement, proactively investigate criminal organizations, and develop international agreements. | |||
*'''Protection''': Ensure the safety of trafficked persons through investigation, risk assessment and referral to appropriate community services. | |||
*''Prevention'' | *'''Prosecution''': Gather evidence so traffickers can be prosecuted. | ||
*''Protection'' | *'''Partnership''': Work in partnership with others, both domestically and internationally. | ||
*''Prosecution'' | |||
*''Partnership'' | |||
There are many challenges for law enforcement, for example: | There are many challenges for law enforcement, for example: | ||
*The international nature of trafficking | *The international nature of trafficking — countries have different laws and the authorities in source countries may be involved in crime. | ||
*The hidden nature of trafficking and its connection to organized crime | *The hidden nature of trafficking and its connection to organized crime. | ||
*Trafficked people are frequently moved to different locations | *Trafficked people are frequently moved to different locations. | ||
*Trafficked people fear the police and immigration authorities and are afraid to testify against traffickers | *Trafficked people fear the police and immigration authorities and are afraid to testify against traffickers. | ||
*Trafficked people may not see themselves as victims of crime | *Trafficked people may not see themselves as victims of crime. | ||
==Community and faith-based organizations== | |||
Community based agencies are enhancing their knowledge to extend support services to emerging trafficked persons. Faith based organizations are also contributing efforts to eliminate human trafficking by raising awareness of the issues within their congregation and community. | Community-based agencies are enhancing their knowledge to extend support services to emerging trafficked persons. Faith-based organizations are also contributing efforts to eliminate human trafficking by raising awareness of the issues within their congregation and community. | ||
The ''Trafficking in Persons Protocol'' emphasizes respect for the human rights of trafficked people and urges countries to cooperate with non-governmental organizations to provide for the basic needs of trafficked persons. | |||
A comprehensive list of services is available through OCTIP's training site at [http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/octiptraining/index.html www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/octiptraining]. | |||
A comprehensive list of services is available through OCTIP training site [http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/octiptraining/index.html www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/octiptraining | |||
Key services a trafficked person may require include: | Key services a trafficked person may require include: | ||
* housing, | |||
* housing | * medical and psychological care, | ||
* medical and psychological care | |||
* counselling and information in a language understood by the trafficked person, | * counselling and information in a language understood by the trafficked person, | ||
* material help such as clothing and food | * material help such as clothing and food, | ||
* employment and education opportunities, | * employment and education opportunities, | ||
* legal assistance | * legal assistance, and | ||
* help to connect to police and government agencies. | * help to connect to police and government agencies. | ||
==Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)== | |||
The Trafficking in Persons Protocol also requires countries to consider adopting laws that allow trafficked persons to remain in the receiving country, temporarily or permanently. A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is available from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). The process starts with an interview with an immigration officer. At this point, the trafficked person does not have to prove that they have been trafficked, only that there is a possibility. The trafficked person is not required to help in any criminal investigation or to testify against their trafficker. | The ''Trafficking in Persons Protocol'' also requires countries to consider adopting laws that allow trafficked persons to remain in the receiving country, temporarily or permanently. A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is available from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). The process starts with an interview with an immigration officer. At this point, the trafficked person does not have to prove that they have been trafficked, only that there is a possibility. The trafficked person is not required to help in any criminal investigation or to testify against their trafficker. | ||
If the immigration officer believes a person may have been trafficked, they can issue a TRP. This gives the person legal status in Canada for up to 180 days. The permit can be re-issued at the end of the 180-day period by the CIC officer based on the trafficked | If the immigration officer believes a person may have been trafficked, they can issue a TRP. This gives the person legal status in Canada for up to 180 days. The permit can be re-issued at the end of the 180-day period by the CIC officer based on the trafficked person's situation. The trafficked person will have access to health care and counselling and they may also apply for a work permit. | ||
For more information on the TRP see Human Trafficking | For more information on the TRP see [http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/octiptraining/ Human Trafficking: Canada is Not Immune, Module 4]. | ||
Keep in mind the following principles when applying a human rights approach to providing services: | Keep in mind the following principles when applying a human rights approach to providing services: | ||
| Line 116: | Line 111: | ||
* Help the trafficked person work with police if they choose to do so. | * Help the trafficked person work with police if they choose to do so. | ||
A complete list of guiding principles is available at [http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/ | A complete list of guiding principles is available at [http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/octiptraining www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/octiptraining]. | ||
{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[People's Law School]], 2014}} | {{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[People's Law School]], 2014}} | ||