From October 15 to 21, police arrested 20 persons through the seventh edition of Operation Northern Spotlight.
Operation Northern Spotlight is a Canadian law enforcement outreach operation where police work with vulnerable communities and social workers to identify and provide support to individuals who are suspected of being forced into the sex trade, or believed to be at high risk of being trafficked.
During pre-arranged meetings, these individuals are provided with enough information from the police and support from non-government organizations (NGOs) to give them an opportunity to exit the sex trade if they are being exploited.
This year's operation was led by the RCMP's Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre in partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police and a total of 62 agencies from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Law enforcement increased collaboration with 26 NGOs to build on best practices for when interviewing independent sex trade workers.
RCMP Assistant Commissioner Eric Slinn of Federal Policing Criminal Operations, states "These operations and protecting vulnerable people is of the utmost importance to police. On behalf of the RCMP, I'd like to thank the OPP, our Canadian law enforcement partners, and NGOs for their assistance in another successful edition of Operation Northern Spotlight."
Results
Police interviewed 351 people and removed 10 people, including 2 under the age of 18, from exploitive and dangerous situations. A total of 52 charges were laid against 22 individuals, including Trafficking in Persons.
For more information please visit: Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre.
Canadians wishing to report a crime or suspicious activity should contact their local police. Anonymous information can also be reported to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Contact information
RCMP Media Relations
613-843-5999
RCMP.HQMediaRelations-DGRelationsmedias.GRC@rcmp-grc.gc.ca