What is sex trafficking?

Many Canadians believe sex trafficking is only an international issue. In fact, most trafficking cases in Canada are domestic. The most current data showed that in Canada, over 90% of sex trafficking victims come from Canada¹. It happens all over the country, in every community.

Traffickers are both men and women. A recent report³ indicates that traffickers are mostly males aged between 24 and 36 years old. Female traffickers are mostly aged between 27 and 32 years old, albeit most were also victims and connected to male traffickers.

Some movies depict trafficking victims as being physically detained, sometimes in chains. However, this does not happen in the majority of cases. Victims can experience physical detainment but usually, traffickers use psychological, emotional, and financial manipulation to keep victims bound to them.⁴

Sex trafficking is founded on coercion and force. Rarely do victims see any of their earnings. Traffickers can make up to $280,000 a year on each victim.⁵

Simply put, if sex work is forced or coerced for someone else's financial gain, it is sex trafficking. By law, if the person involved is under the age of 18, it is always considered trafficking.