Ministers Blaney and Anton commend BC's Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons for updated online training program

News Release

April 14, 2014 – Vancouver - Public Safety Canada

Today, the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and the Honourable Suzanne Anton, Attorney General and Minister of Justice for British Columbia, commended British Columbia’s Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons (OCTIP) on the launch of their updated online training course aimed at enhancing the ability of first responders and service providers to support victims of human trafficking.

The Second Edition of Human Trafficking: Canada is Not Immune, has been updated to provide training to front-line service providers and first responders across Canada to help identify trafficked persons, support them and provide appropriate referral services for help and protection.

The update to the online training course was developed through a contribution agreement with Public Safety Canada.

Quick Facts

Since April 2012, nearly 8,000 people have accessed the OCTIP Training.
In June 2012, the Federal Government launched the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, which introduced aggressive new initiatives to prevent human trafficking, identify victims, protect the most vulnerable, and prosecute perpetrators, in addition to consolidating ongoing efforts of the federal government to combat human trafficking. The National Action Plan supports organizations providing assistance to victims and builds on our current response of working together with our partners to prevent and combat this disturbing crime.
OCTIP coordinates British Columbia's strategy to address human trafficking. OCTIP works in partnerships with all levels of government, law enforcement agencies, community organizations and Crown prosecutors to protect trafficked persons and prevent human trafficking. In March 2013, the Provincial Government launched BC’s Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking which provides a clear roadmap for priority actions over three years to prevent the trafficking of youth, vulnerable workers and Aboriginal youth and women.

Quotes

“Our Government is committed to strengthening partnerships and collaboration to prevent and combat the crime of human trafficking. British Columbia’s online training course is a perfect example of the importance of working together to fight a despicable crime that preys on the most vulnerable, especially women and children. Our National Action Plan on Human Trafficking is working, by focussing on prosecuting traffickers, protecting victims and preventing these terrible crimes”.
The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

“Our province has taken a leadership role in combating human trafficking. Trafficked persons are often kept hidden from view and are extremely fearful of seeking help. The Human Trafficking: Canada is Not Immune course provides information on how to recognize, protect and assist trafficked persons with appropriate and culturally relevant services. The updated version of this training fulfills a priority action of our BC Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking to increase the number of service providers and front-line personnel with training on human trafficking.”
Suzanne Anton, Attorney General and Minister of Justice

“The updated version of this training reflects changes in Canadian laws on human trafficking, incorporates the voices and unique experiences of trafficked persons in Canada, provides a certificate of completion, and includes a national resource list of organizations working on human trafficking. We encourage all front line workers and anyone concerned about human trafficking to take this free, online course. Simply, trafficked persons have their basic human rights violated and need our assistance.”
Rosalind Currie, Director, Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons

If you have information concerning a human trafficking situation, please call your local police or report it anonymously to Crime Stoppers at: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). In B.C. contact 1-888-712-7974 24/7 for assistance with coordinating services for trafficked persons.

Contacts

Jason Tamming
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-991-2924

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657

Government Communications and Public Engagement
British Columbia Ministry of Justice
250-213-3602

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Date modified:: 2014-04-14

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Ministers Blaney and Anton commend BC's Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons for updated online training program

News Release

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