Murray Wood: Who's hot... and who's not
Every Friday, Murray Wood takes a look back at the week's news and decides who's hot... and who's not. This week's list ...
The Government of Saskatchewan is helping the Saskatoon Police Service in its fight against human trafficking.
On Thursday, which marked World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the province announced $160,000 in funding to help the police force sustain its human trafficking responder/liaison positions, which the government said “provide coordinated crisis support, advocacy and court navigation for victims and survivors of human trafficking.” The workers also help prevent trafficking through education, training and awareness initiatives.
Read more:
- Two men charged with human trafficking at Edenwold business: RCMP
- Hospitality Saskatchewan training workers to spot and report human trafficking
- Saskatchewan police to get human trafficking training
“At the Saskatoon Police Service, we have seen the critical advantage that support for victims of human trafficking can have,” Saskatoon police chief Cameron McBride said in a statement shared by the provincial government.
“Our team provides specialized support to survivors and works alongside our community partners to develop and deliver trauma-informed training to prosecutors and first responders. This funding announced by the Government of Saskatchewan is going to allow us to continue to have a full response team in place to combat human trafficking.”
Saskatchewan Justice Minister Tim McLeod said human trafficking often leaves lasting impacts on victims and their families, and said the funding will provide victims with more support while also improving co-ordination among responders.
Jim Bence, CEO of Hospitality Saskatchewan, said the positions are “invaluable” to the work that multiple industries do when trying to help victims of human trafficking.
“We commend the provincial government’s commitment to sustain the two Human Trafficking Responder/Liaison positions at Saskatoon Police Service,” Bence said in a statement.
“The work they do is an invaluable conduit between those trying to escape their terrible situations and those trying to assist them on their journey to freedom.”
The funding comes through Saskatchewan’s implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, the provincial government noted.
“Through the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence, the Government of Canada is supporting Saskatchewan’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its response to gender-based violence and human trafficking,” Rechie Valdez, Canada’s minister of women and gender equality, said in a statement.
“Everyone deserves to know that when they come forward, they will be met with compassion, understanding and the support they need. By investing in comprehensive, trauma-informed services, we are helping victims and survivors of human trafficking navigate their path to safety, healing and justice with dignity.”
