By Bryn Levy

Salvation Army rep talks to human trafficking in Saskatoon

Nov 12, 2014 | 4:49 PM

The Salvation Army’s Canadian consultant for human trafficking is urging people to be on the lookout for possible victims in their communities.

Dianna Bussey was in Saskatoon Wednesday to deliver a workshop for the organization’s frontline workers on how to spot potential trafficking victims.

She said trafficking isn’t just a crime that sees people taken across international borders.

“There doesn’t have to be any movement at all, human trafficking exists within our own communities, with folks being victimized within our communities,” she said.

And while women forced into the sex trade may be the most common image people have of human trafficking, Bussey said it’s also important to note that the issue is much broader.

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“(Trafficking) could be for the purposes of labour exploitation so maybe working in domestic servitude — live-in caregivers, nannies or also it can be on agricultural work, kind of thing. And there’s also sex trafficking,” she said.

Bussey acknowleged that victims can be hard to spot, but said there are indicators people can keep in mind.

“Someone who is looking fearful, or perhaps doesn’t have control of their time or their documents or can’t come and go as they please,” she said, adding that often victims may show similar signs and behaviours as victims of domestic abuse.

Overall, Bussey encouraged people to be active in their communities and be vigilant.

“You know, I think we have a tendency to not get involved and to not say something about it.  It’s ‘none of our business,’” she said before calling on people to contact authorities if they think something’s wrong.

“If it’s nothing, it’s nothing and they’ll find out. But if it is something, (reporting) it could certainly be changing someone’s life for the better.
 
blevy@rawlco.com

On Twitter: @BrynLevy