Myths VS Facts
Myth:
Sex trafficking doesn’t happen in Canada.
Fact:
90% of Canadian sex trafficking victims are Canadian citizens.
Myth:
Sex trafficking is just like in the movies.
Fact:
Sex trafficking is not like the movies – victims are not typically abducted, kidnapped or physically detained.
Myth:
Sex trafficking only happens to girls/women or lower-income youth.
Fact:
90% of victims are female, but young men are targeted too. Sex trafficking can happen to anyone regardless of age, income, culture or neighbourhood.
Myth:
Sex traffickers are typically strangers.
Fact:
Victims are often lured by someone they know, a friend, or a boyfriend or girlfriend, or a family member.
Myth:
Sex trafficking victims make a lot of money and can leave whenever they want.
Fact:
Sex trafficking victims rarely get to keep any money and they cannot leave whenever they want. Traffickers manipulate and threaten victims making them feel scared, ashamed and that they have nowhere to go.
Red Flags
Trafficking is hard to spot when it’s happening to you. There is not just one warning sign but many along the way.
Watch for these sex trafficking red flags:
- Showers you with attention and expensive gifts
- Says nobody understands you like they do
- Wants to keep your relationship secret
- Tells you they love you really quickly
- Pushes your boundaries
- Has ‘money problems’ and needs your help
- Has connections to help you make quick cash
Watch for these sex trafficking red flags:
- Secretive about activities
- All consuming relationship
- Stops hanging out
- Receives expensive gifts
- Changes in behaviour
- Skips school or disappears for days at a time
- Inconsistent stories
Trust Your Instincts
Tell someone you trust if something doesn’t feel right or seems too good to be true.
The person:
- Isolates you from family and friends
- Buys you lots of expensive things
- Encourages you to skip school, miss curfew, try drinking or drugs
- Promises you a better life
- Encourages you to be secretive about them and your whereabouts
The person says things like:
- “Don’t tell anyone”
- “It’s our secret”
- “You owe me”
- “I need you to do something just this once, for our future together”
The person makes you feel:
- Like you’re being made to do things you’re not comfortable with
- Disrespected or powerless
- That you don’t have any control
- That you don’t have a choice or other options