FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Prince George, B.C. - To mark Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, Council signed a statement of support for the Human Trafficking Prevention Network of British Columbia today.
The signing took place at City Hall ahead of a roundtable discussion with local organizations that work to combat human trafficking and support survivors. Local partners include:
- Association Advocating for Women and Community (AWAC)
- Elizabeth Fry Society
- Prince George Sexual Assault Centre (Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline)
- Violence Against Women in Relationships (VAWIR)
- Carrier Sekani Family Services Sexual Violence Survivor Support Program
The statement of support denounces human trafficking as a gross violation of human rights and an affront to human dignity. Human trafficking includes recruiting, transporting, transferring, receiving, holding, concealing or harbouring a person, or exercising control direction or influence over the movements of a person, to exploit them or to assist in facilitating their exploitation, according to the Canadian Criminal Code. This exploitation can be for the purpose of sexual exploitation, forced labor, and other forms of coercion.
“The City of Prince George is proud to be the first local government to sign the statement of support to affirm our commitment to raising awareness about the severity of human trafficking and how we can prevent it,” said Mayor Simon Yu. “Through this important document, we pledge to support organizations that combat human trafficking and commend the significant work already underway by non-profit organizations, people with lived experience, and law enforcement in our community.”
The statement highlights the disproportionately high rates of victimization experienced by First Nations, Metis and Inuit survivors, as well as two-spirit and gender diverse people, and seeks to support programs specific to their needs and healing.
The City of Prince George joins more than 20 corporate and community partners across the province in the network.
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Media contact:
Claire Thwaites, communications manager
Mobile: 778-349-1386
Email: media@princegeorge.ca