Hello, my name is Kashri. I would like for you to take a moment to review some of the information presented in the brochure.

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Did you know January was Human Trafficking awareness month? ​What do you think about the information presented here? Does the definition of Human Trafficking make sense? Do the news stories or statistics surprise you? Is Human Trafficking something that is only seen in the movies?

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Does it surprise you that Human Trafficking is prevalent in Durham Region? Is Human Trafficking something that seems like an issue? Is it an issue that you are aware of? Is it an issue only if you or someone you know are facing it? Is it an issue that is just outside of your community? ​

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Human Trafficking is a serious crime that most people do not realize is even happening. It affects everyone equally, even those of a higher socioeconomic class. There are many agencies dedicated to helping those victims affected and providing training to hotel staff to spot and stop Human Trafficking. 

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It is not only occurring in Durham Region but throughout the GTA. 

This brochure aims to create awareness by providing some insight into some key areas of Human Trafficking. Many are unaware that Human Trafficking occurs in Durham Region. Unless they follow the local news stories, it is often not mentioned in the major news headlines.

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A couple of years ago, I decided that Durham Region was going to be my home. It is where I live, work, and study. I also have many friends and family members who live in Pickering and Ajax, who have young children. One year ago, I met a young lady who was attending a local high school. She had mentioned that she was very upset because one of her friends was a victim of human trafficking. I will admit, it had taken me by surprise because I had never heard those two words come up in conversation previously. That night I had decided I needed to do more research. I was shocked to hear that Durham Region was a community known for Human Trafficking.

When I was completing my second term of the Social Service Worker, my Crisis Intervention professor had recommended students take the online Human Trafficking course. I was able to learn that Human Trafficking does not only affect young females but also males, migrant workers, and indigenous youth. I also learned that a pimp’s coercion could happen over time as young victims are manipulated to believe that they are in love.

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Creating awareness and education to my fellow Durham residents is extremely important to me as I believe in the 4 Pillars of Human Trafficking. Preventing the crime from happening through education and awareness, protecting the community, prosecuting those responsible, and partnering with the right agencies to help those affected by providing safe resources.

It is with hope for this brochure to find its way to parents, youth, anyone who is active in the community, and any person who knows another person.

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I hope this brochure can create awareness that Human Trafficking is real, and happening right in our home town. I hope the information presented will plant a seed in the back of people’s minds and that the news stories and statistics will become something that others will talk about openly. I do believe in everyday conversation, the topic of Human Trafficking will not occur even though others will speak of the top headlines.

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At present, I do hope for the brochure to be shared throughout social media, whether on Facebook or Instagram. It would be ideal if the brochure could be shared within classrooms and community centers. I would like for the brochure to initiate conversations on Human Trafficking. I wish for others to share some of the information and definitions within their circle of friends. Lastly, I wish for the topic of Human Trafficking to become less taboo. I wish for others to know that Human Trafficking is real and happening and that there are many resources, such as Durham Regional Police, and initiatives, such as StopHT, dedicated to the social justice of Human Trafficking.

If I can reach one person through my brochure, then I will know I have been successful. I did share the brochure on my social media page. One of my friends, a parent of two small children residing in Whitby, commented that she was thankful for the brochure as she learned about Human Trafficking. She mentioned that Human Trafficking should not be happening, and she is unsure why there is not more readily available information like the brochure. She knows that Human Trafficking is happening in our backyard, yet we do not hear about it. I also had a relative who resides in the region of Peel private message me. She mentioned that after reading the 2020 news stories presented in the brochure, she needed to investigate if there were any stories in Peel. She was shocked, to say the least. She was thankful for the awareness and decided to research a brochure on what parents can do to prevent human trafficking.  

 

If you can take anything away from today, I would ask that you remember that Durham Regional Police is here for any questions or concerns regarding Human Trafficking.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my brochure.

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Kashri C Bhookmohan