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Post by watchdog on Jan 16, 2008 11:05:40 GMT -5
Police Reveal More On Sex Slave Arrests Tuesday January 15, 2008 CityNews.ca Staff video.citynews.ca/index.jsp?auto_band=x&rf=sv&fr_story=fa6263fc8a90fd2ba92114ad5e40260935dfa816Sex slavery and human trafficking exist daily as devastating and often underreported crimes, but a recent bust by Toronto Police has cast some light on the situation, which the United Nations says affects as many as two million women around the world each year and forms the basis for an industry worth tens of millions of dollars. The arrests were made after a 21-year-old woman from Eastern Europe walked into 52 Division last Thursday and told cops she was lured to Canada with promises of a modeling contract. The reality she met with here was anything but model. The woman alleges she was forcibly confined and forced into sexual slavery. "That's exactly what it is," said Toronto Police Det. Sgt. "They have no control over their life, they're being dominated, coerced, threatened." The confession led to the arrests of four people, including a husband and wife, all facing a lengthy list of charges including human trafficking which marks only the second time the charge will come before the courts since the law was enacted in 2005. Police and experts agree it just goes to show the difference one victim can make when the silence is broken. "They're so afraid of their families being held captive back home, debts that are owed, and their lives are being threatened," said Natasha Falle, who helps get sex workers off the street with Streetlight Support Services. "We had one woman who came through our program years ago who was being held captive in a closet. When she wasn't with men and servicing men she was kept in a closet." Investigators say they know there are other victims out there waiting to come forward and promise protection for those who do so, even offering advocacy with Immigration Canada.
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Post by watchdog on Jan 17, 2008 10:34:51 GMT -5
Investigators believe more women have been entangled in an alleged international prostitution ring, urging them to come forward to police for protection from their captors.
The alleged human trafficking ring was uncovered on Jan. 10 after a woman went to 52 Division to report she was being held captive and forced into the sex trade.
Police allege two women who recently arrived to Canada were forced against their will to become prostitutes, but believe more than a half-dozen others could have been held under similar circumstances.
“We believe there may be further victims,” said 52 Division D/Sgt , said during a recent news conference.
“The women are confined, isolated from the general population and each other, their documents are taken and they are very vulnerable because they are in a country that is not their native land.”
Four men face a range of charges, including trafficking in persons, living off the avails of prostitution, exploitation, forcible confinement and threaten bodily harm.
At least one woman arrived to Canada after answering an advertisement to become a model.
D/Sgt said the women – mostly from Eastern European countries – were allegedly threatened and coerced into prostitution for fear they would be deported.
“They are brought to this country and held at a safe house where they can be threatened until they comply,” he said, noting the captors often make women believe they are owed payment for bringing them to the country.
Police will aid any victims in immigration matters and provide them with a safe place to stay,D/sgt said, noting police have access to interpreters in case the women speak little or no English.
“Ultimately, we’d like to lock up these predators,” he said. “In order to build a case, we need evidence, witnesses and testimony.”
He alleged that the women held captive as prostitutes generate anywhere from $4,000 and $10,000 a week and given a meagre allowance in return.
“It’s a hidden industry, it’s underground,” said D/Sgt, who noted that police need the victims to come forward in order to build such a case.
Anyone with information is urged to call police at 416-808-5206 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS.
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