Summer Edition: Major human trafficking bust in Halton a reminder of issue in Northumberland

Earlier this week, arrests were made in the largest human trafficking case in the history of Halton Regional Police Service. Nine individuals were arrested and 85 criminal charges laid. It is a stark reminder of the exploitation taking place across Ontario, the country and the world. The accused are alleged to have used coercion, deception, manipulation, and psychological harm to maintain control and influence over the victims. In April, Jocelyn Enright, prevention education and community engagement coordinator for the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre, talked about human trafficking in Northumberland County, especially along the Highway 401 corridor. Girls as young as 11-years-old are being recruited into sex work. Her organization had just lost a $1`75,000 grant from the federal government to prevent recruitment and help those who wish to leave sex work. Take a listen and hear the hidden tragedies in our area.