Human Trafficking North America

Human trafficking has become an increasing problem in Canada. Both native Canadians as well as people from other countries are being used in Canada for the purposes of sex trafficking. While sex trafficking is the main area of human trafficking occurring in Canada, labor trafficking is becoming more prevalent.

In Canada Aboriginal women face the greatest risk of becoming involved in human trafficking. The Native Women’s Association of Canada points out that while Aboriginal women make up only about 4% of the population of females in Canada, they make up a larger population of the women involved in human trafficking. Often Aboriginals live in isolated communities that do not foster the success of young men and women, and can lead women to become more at risk for exploitation.  Common household problems like poverty, abuse, and shortages of opportunities are increased in Aboriginal societies. A lack of education and a background conducive of victimization these women become extremely vulnerable to predators. These women are coerced into trafficking with the thought of being able to live a better life, away from the abuses and poverty they face at home.

Aboriginal women also face a lot of racism in Canada. Instead of going after the perpetrators of human trafficking, many people examine the backgrounds and lifestyle choices of the Aboriginal women involved. According to the Ontario Native Women’s Association, “Instead of addressing systemic inequalities and systemic violence against Indigenous women, the government had previously focused primarily on the behaviour of missing and murdered Indigenous woman, as if their behaviour is justification for their exploitation.”