Human sex trafficking and intimate partner violence prevention

The prevalence of family violence, gender-based violence and intimate partner violence continues to rise in Peel.

Peel Region has declared family violence, gender-based violence and intimate partner violence an epidemic.

This crisis cannot be addressed through local coordination and expertise alone; it requires partnership and support from all levels of government to ensure the sector is adequately resourced to meet the growing needs of Peel residents.

Actions we're taking

Peel Region is advocating for Provincial support and increased funding in order to better meet the needs of residents and clients in the current fragmented and under-funded system.

This funding is needed to support victims and clients of family violence, gender-based violence and intimate partner violence for emergency and transitional housing, as well as legal services.

The provincial government response should also include the development of a policy framework to foster additional support and greater coordination across the sector.

2024 AMO Briefing notes

Helping victims and survivors of human sex trafficking

Provincial investments beyond 2025 are required to ensure protection and prevention for victims of human sex trafficking.

Policy opportunity and solutions

Eradicating human trafficking and providing support to victims of this abhorrent crime is a shared priority for the Region of Peel and the Province, and ongoing collaboration and support is having a positive impact. To keep this momentum going, long-term sustainable operational funding, beyond the annual $730,000 within the five-year strategy, will be required to support the costs of dedicated housing and integrated support services for victims, survivors and individuals at risk of human sex trafficking in Peel Region.

Update on Peel human sex trafficking initiatives

The Strategy to Address Human Sex Trafficking in Peel Region aims to provide services that are low-barrier, survivor-centred and trauma-informed. The services are based on three pillars – Prevention, Intervention and Exits/Housing. Implementation of this work continues to progress in collaboration with Elizabeth-Fry Society of Peel-Halton as the Housing lead. Catholic Family Services of Peel-Halton is the Services Hub lead, and the Region appreciates the $3.1 million in funding over five years through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services’ Community Supports Fund to support this work.

62.5% of Canadian human trafficking cases originate in the GTA.

Under the Prevention Pillar, the work is being carried out primarily by Peel Regional Police, the school boards, Peel Children's Aid Society and Peel service providers. The recent provincial mandate for all boards to implement anti-trafficking plan, will help to formally reinforce our prevention efforts.

Under the Intervention Pillar, the Region established a three-year pilot for the dedicated services hub for individuals at-risk, engaged in and transitioning out of sex trafficking. Our hub, nCourage, offers system and client navigation, case management, trauma counselling, outreach and soon health care.

Under the Exits and Housing Pillar, we have a safe/emergency house (opened in April 2020) and transitional house (opened in April 2021) that are both dedicated to human sex trafficking victims and survivors. Six survivors can stay here - three during restrictions in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Peel's rate of trafficking in persons is 0.85 per 100,000 population.

Tremendous progress is being made to safeguard the health and safety of human sex trafficking victims - primarily young girls and women. The Region appreciates the provincial support received to date and additional funding, beyond 2025, will be needed to ensure Regional services remain accessible to victims and survivors of sex trafficking.

Peel Anti-Human Sex Trafficking Strategy

Prevention: Increase awareness

Peel Regional employees
Peel Municipalities
Shelters
Schools
Private Corporations
Parents/Guardians Tactics
E-learning module for Regional staff and to share externally
In-person training for frontline staff in Human Services and Public Health

Interventions: Increase access to dedicated and reliable services that are easy to navigate for victims and survivors

System navigation and coordination of health, legal and social services
Core services include trauma counselling, life and job skills, legal support, education and case management
In-kind complimentary services provided by community partners

Exits and Housing: Increase access to dedicated, safe and supportive housing for victims/survivors

Safe/emergency house (up to four months)
Transitional house (up to two years)
Connection with priority status on Peel Access to Housing (PATH)

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