Support for Victims of Human Trafficking

Between 700,000 and 4 million people are trafficked annually worldwide, many of them women and children who have been sexually trafficked.
At least 600 foreign women and girls are coerced into Canada’s sex trade yearly, and another 2,200 newcomers are smuggled into Canada and the U.S. for brothels, sweatshops, domestic work, and construction.
Canada played a key role in developing the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, signed in December 2000 and ratified May 2002.
While Canada has punished traffickers through human trafficking laws (passed in 2005), protection measures for victims remain insufficient in the justice and immigration system.

Resolved #1: The National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) adopts as policy support for victims of human trafficking in line with the:

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women,
Convention on the Rights of the Child,
Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of Prostitution of Others.

Resolved #2: The NCWC urges the Government of Canada to address the needs of trafficking victims through the following measures:

(a) Allowing victims 120 days to regularize their status in Canada without deportation fears, including access to legal and medical assistance.
(b) Providing temporary residence permits (at least 2 years) for victims who would be endangered if deported or aid in prosecuting traffickers, with an option for permanent residency and family reunification.
(c) Ensuring victims have physical safety, shelter, counseling, legal support, medical care, and job training, as well as work permits similar to refugee claimants.
(d) Funding NGOs for safe housing and awareness programs to educate law enforcement officers, healthcare workers, and the public.
(e) Granting federal witness protection for victims involved in legal cases against traffickers.

# Social Programs