The Ontario Provincial Police invites members of the public, particularly educators and hospitality workers, to attend S.T.A.R.T. (Stop Trafficking, Advocate and Report Today) training. The program was designed to help members of the public spot the signs of human trafficking.

Participants will learn;

· The indicators of human trafficking.

· How to identify victims of human trafficking.

· How people are victimized by human trafficking.

· What to report to the police and how.

· How to keep themselves safe if they suspect human trafficking.

The S.T.A.R.T. program will also feature keynote speaker Timea Nagy, human trafficking survivor, author, speaker and social advocate. Nagy immigrated to Canada in 1998. Her nightmare unfolded in Toronto in that same year after arriving from Budapest, Hungary in the hopes of finding meaningful employment. The daughter of a Hungarian police woman, Timea was held in a cheap motel, at the hands of traffickers, forced to work in the sex industry.

Why Educators Should Attend

Victims of human trafficking are generally young. According to Statistics Canada, close to half (47%) of human trafficking victims between 2009 and 2014 were between the ages of 18-24. One quarter (25%) of human trafficking victims during the same timeframe were under the age of 18.

Why Hospitality Workers Should Attend

According to Public Safety Canada, human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation is, to date, the most common manifestation of this crime. Sex traffickers often take advantage of the privacy and anonymity offered by the hospitality industry. They can operate discretely because staff and guests may not know the signs of human trafficking.

Free Event Locations

Kincardine Ontario
Thursday, March 22, 2018
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Best Western Plus Governor's Inn
791 Durham Street, Kincardine, N2Z 1M4
www.bestwestern.com

London Ontario
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Four Points by Sheraton Hotel
1150, Wellington Road , London, N6E 1M3
www.fourpointslondonontario.com

The S.T.A.R.T. program is free, but registration is required. Please contact D/Staff Sgt. Rossewy at your earliest opportunity to assure your seat at the table. Crime prevention works best when we all work together.

source: media release, Ontario Provincial Police