This is “Stop Sexual Exploitation Week” in Newfoundland and Labrador, a time set aside to bring attention to exploitive activities such as human trafficking and to share information about resources and information available to victims and their support networks.
The minister responsible for women and gender equality signed the proclamation at THRIVE, an organization which works to support victims. Pam Parsons noted that government provides THRIVE with $60,000 annually to run its Coalition Against the Sexual Exploitation of Youth (CASEY) program.
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality Pam Parsons
She says violence of any kind—including human trafficking and sexual exploitation—is unacceptable. Minister Parsons wants Newfoundland and Labrador to be seen as a safe haven.
Angela Crockwell, the executive director of THRIVE, says it’s difficult to come up with any firm numbers on sexual exploitation of youth because its significantly under-reported.
She says human trafficking can mean different things.
“For example, if a young person doesn’t have a place to sleep for the naught and is offered one but for a sexual favour, that may not meet the legal definition of human trafficking but it certainly is exploitive,” she says.
