January 14th, 2021

As part of our ongoing Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy, we are inviting parents and caregivers to attend a webinar on January 19, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. In partnership with Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Program from St. Mary’s Hospital, the Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC) as well as the Waterloo Region Police Service, this event marks one of our first steps in our multipronged Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy.

Use this link to view the live stream on January 19: https://www.youtube.com/c/WRDSBVideo/live. This event will be recorded and posted on the WRDSB website at a later date.

If you have questions you would like addressed in the Q&A following the webinar, please submit them to this Google Form. Participants will not be able to connect with the presenters during the webinar.

What you will learn:

  • The WRDSB multi-pronged Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy, including how schools respond to and support students who have experienced or are at risk for human trafficking as well as our comprehensive staff training plan.
  • How The Sexual Assault Support Centre’s RESET curriculum for Grade 7-8 students will build upon the Ontario Health and Physical Education curriculum.
  • Understand what Human Trafficking looks like in Waterloo Region by hearing from a representative from the Waterloo Region Police Services, Human Trafficking Task Force.
  • Gain clarity around: what human trafficking is, the signs to look for, who is at risk and how to seek help.
  • Learn about the issues of Equity and Systemic Racism in Human Trafficking.

Please Note: This presentation discusses human trafficking, which can be a heavy and upsetting topic. If at any time you are uncomfortable or distressed, please reach out to your support network or to Here 24/7 to get connected to local mental health supports and resources.

Information about human trafficking

  • The average age of recruitment into sex trafficking is 13 years old
  • Over 70% of human trafficking victims identified by police are under the age of 25
  • Approximately two-thirds of police-reported human trafficking cases in Canada occur in Ontario
  • Human trafficking is enmeshed in systems of racial and colonial oppression. In Canada, of the young girls who received services for human trafficking, 50% were Indigenous and 17% were people of colour. Ontario Native Women’s Association

Resources for Parents and Caregivers

Categories: School News