Brief from MAST-Men Against Sexual Trafficking

MAST-Men Against Sexual Trafficking is a Non Governmental Organization that is dedicated to fighting human trafficking both in Canada and internationally. We focus on sexual trafficking in the belief that the most effective way to eliminate the problem is to decrease the demand for paid sex acts. We plan to accomplish this goal through education of the public regarding the problem and also by making men aware of the harm that is done to many people when they watch pornography and use the services of sex trade workers, most of who are not working there by choice:

While there are many areas of desperate need we would like to target three key elements where we as a nation can make the greatest impact on this rapidly escalating crime against humanity.

These suggestions are:

Training for Crown Attorneys and Prosecutors to make them more aware of the problem and how to successfully prosecute with the least damage to already traumatized trafficked individuals.

Substantial funding increases for Non Governmental Organizations which are dedicated to fighting human trafficking in all of its forms

Increased funding to train and equip Law Enforcement Units at the municipal, provincial and federal levels that would be dedicated specifically to investigation and prosecution of traffickers.

Training for Crown Attorneys and Prosecutors is essential in order to obtain more convictions with more severe sentences to deter traffickers from setting up shop in Canadian cities and towns. With better communication and increased knowledge of what has worked successfully in other jurisdictions, we believe, there would be much greater success in prosecuting the offenders to the fullest extent of the law.

This training would provide both Crown Attorneys and Prosecutors with knowledge of the state of mind of both trafficking victims and those who have victimized them. As a result there would be decreased trauma to those who have been trafficked and they would be more willing to proceed with cooperating with authorities.

To summarize this point, we believe that increased funding will enable intensive training for Crown Attorneys and Prosecutors to provide them with all the tools for the effective and successful prosecution of traffickers while ensuring the safety and security of those being trafficked and minimizing further damage to already traumatized individuals. 

We suggest that a minimum budget amount of $500,000 be set aside to facilitate this program.

Make an immediate injections of funds available for Non Governmental Organizations which are dedicated to fighting human trafficking in all of its forms.

There are numerous and diverse groups dedicated to raising awareness and educating the public, while others focus their efforts on rescuing, rehabilitating(?) and re-establishing victims of human trafficking. Many of these NGOs receive little or no funding and are relying on donations or, in some cases, are funded personally by concerned members of the group.

When trafficking victims are brought to the attention of NGOs there are a multitude of services that will be required for them to recover from the trauma they have endured.

In addition, in order for these organizations to do their jobs properly there is a need for emergency shelter, remedial housing and long-term accommodation. Also, since many victims suffer from post-traumatic stress, psychological and psychiatric treatment is often required on an on-going basis.

There are other NGOs that focus on raising awareness through education. They also require funding for printing, travel, electronic media and many other items. Some NGOs could use funding for awareness campaigns featuring advertising in print media, on billboards and both radio and television. These could be invaluable for getting the message across to the public about the enormity of the problem and the need to change the attitudes of men and boys about the value of women in our society.

Increased funding should also be made available to train and equip Law enforcement units at the municipal, provincial and federal levels which would be dedicated specifically to investigating & apprehending suspected traffickers and removing victims from their control. There is a real need for officers to be properly trained in how to detect, investigate and gather critical material evidence leading to the arrests of the perpetrators of human trafficking. Other training should include instruction on how to deal with victims who might have been detained. In most cases these individuals are already extremely traumatized and brainwashed. Because of this there will often be a mistrust of any sort of authority figure.

Training can be provided to teach investigators how to gain the trust of victims while at the same time gathering information about the case. Traffickers and pimps are master manipulators and know which buttons to push to keep victims from reporting and cooperating.

This training could be provided by front line workers, law enforcement units who have already had some success in investigation and detention and people who have been victimized in the past. Many of them are now working to educate the public about the problem of human trafficking and how to deal with and help the victims recover. These courage individuals certainly deserve our support!

Front line workers, who deal with trafficking victims on a daily basis and have first hand experience can provide insight into the thought processes, fears and motivation of victims as well as make recommendations for what is needed to support them through the recovery period.

Existing law enforcement units can pass on the knowledge and information about what has been learned from their experience.

Former victims can teach us what the state of mind of victims is, how they are controlled, manipulated and intimidated by traffickers and pimps and what are the best ways to break down the barriers that have been created between them and the system which is attempting to assist them. The need for communication between units is absolutely essential since traffickers will often re-locate the victims to another city, province or country. The sharing of information between units can be invaluable because information already gathered by one unit can save a great deal of time for other units investigating the same criminal organization or individual.

While it is difficult to put a dollar value on the cost of implementing increased support in the fight against this heinous crime, there should be no limit to what it takes to protect human lives.

We are therefore recommending an immediate 30% increase to both the existing working budget for law enforcement training and the NGO social services sector nation wide.

We firmly believe that this additional funding would, eventually, more than pay for itself.

Again, we thank you for the opportunity to make this submission and also for the due consideration we know will be given to our suggestions.

Submitted by:

MAST-Men Against Sexual Trafficking

Stan Burditt

185 Queenston Cr.

London, Ontario  N5W 1N7

Phone: 519-457-3705