By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News
For the fourth year in a row, members of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) in Saskatoon led the way in organizing a local event to highlight the scourge of human trafficking.
Saint Anne Parish CWL joined with the local branch of the Salvation Army, Saskatoon Police Service, and representatives of local organizations, including faith groups and Hope Restored, to hold the “Shine the Light” event Feb. 20, beginning with the raising of a flag at Saskatoon City Hall to mark Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
Feb. 22 was once again proclaimed by all three levels of government to focus on the modern-day slavery that exits in local communities across Canada, and around the world – an issue that includes the sexual exploitation of women and vulnerable youth, as well as other forms of slavery.
Anne Ashcroft of the Saint Anne CWL’s Human Trafficking Awareness Project welcomed those gathered for the flag-raising in the civic park at Saskatoon City Hall. Before Donna Aldous raised the flag, Bishop Hagemoen led a prayer for the protection and restoration of victims of human trafficking, and an end to exploitation.
Bishop Mark Hagemoen led a prayer at the flag-raising Feb. 20 for Human Trafficking Awareness Day . (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
The two CWL members then carried a “Stop Human Trafficking” banner on a silent walk to the nearby Parktown Hotel for a program that included lunch, displays, greetings from special guests and elected officials, and a panel discussion hosted by Stephen Moorgen of the Salvation Army.
Panelists Kendra Mazer of Hope Restored, Karen Lysyshyn, Bethany Ward, and Dione Meyer of Saskatoon Police services spoke about the realities of trafficking, the challenges of responding to human trafficking and sexual exploitation in the community – both in terms of outreach to victims and prosecution of perpetrators – and the vital importance of greater public awareness.
Information about human trafficking and sexual exploitation:
- 93 per cent of trafficked victims in Canada are Canadian
- In Saskatchewan risk is heightened for Indigenous women, girls and vulnerable youth
- Indigenous women are four per cent of the population, but are 10 times more likely to go missing, 20 times more likely to be murdered, and represent 50 per cent of trafficked victims
- Saskatchewan has one of the highest percentage of human trafficking in the country
- Runaways are often picked up by traffickers within 24-48 hours
- Average age of recruitment into the sex trade is 13-14 years old
- 63 per cent of trafficked victims are between 15 and 24 years of age
- Victims on average earn $280,000 a year for their trafficker
- Human trafficking is the third largest crime industry in the world, behind drug dealing and arms trafficking
- Profits are over $150 billion annually
- Victims are often used to produce online pornography
- The Internet is often used to lure young people and groom them for exploitation
Related Resources:
Photos:
Getting ready for the fourth annual Human Trafficking Awareness Day event at Saskatoon City Hall. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Bishop Mark Hagemoen and Anne Ashcroft prepare for the event Feb. 20 at the civic park. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Donna Aldous of Saint Anne Parish CWL’s human trafficking awareness committee raises the flag at Saskatoon City Hall Feb. 20. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Anne Ashcroft and Donna Aldous led the silent walk to the information event. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
A silent walk along Spadina Crescent Feb. 20 for Human Trafficking Awareness. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
(Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Rev. Dr. Laura Marie Piotrowicz, Rector of St. John Anglican Cathedral in Saskatoon, led the prayer before the meal during the Human Trafficking Awareness event at the Parktown Hotel. (By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Myron Rogal of the diocesan Office for Justice and Peace was one of many supporters to attend the Shine the Light event to mark Human Trafficking Awareness Day. (By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Saskatchewan Minister for the Status of Women, MLA Alanna Ross, brought greetings from the provincial government and spoke about programs and initiatives that are being put in place to battle human trafficking. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Brittney Senger, MLA for Saskatoon East, brought greetings — one of several political representatives who attended the awareness event. (By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Saskatoon City Councillor Randy Donauer spoke on behalf of the mayor and council. (By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Stephen Moorgan of the Salvation Army moderated the panel discussion. (By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Panelists were (l-r) Kendra Mazer of Hope Restored, and Saskatoon Police Service representatives Dione Meyer, Karen Lysyshyn, and Bethany Ward, with event MC Anne Ashcroft (right). (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Kendra Mazer described the outreach and support provided to victims at Hope Restored. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Police response and victim services support in human trafficking cases were described by three representatives of SPS. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
SPS representatives Karen Lysyshyn and Bethany Ward. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Salvation Army representatives Stephen Moorgan and Derek Kerr joined CWL leaders to present the Human Trafficking Awareness event in Saskatoon Feb. 20. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
-30-
Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: rcdos.ca.
Justice and Peace, Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa.