Grade 9-12 Students Learn About the Sad Reality of Human Trafficking

4/12/2017

Fiona Jack of Covenant House illustrated this point on April 7 with “Trafficked,” the last of three interactive presentations at Greenwood. This program describes how youth, usually young girls, are lured online, from malls and from schoolyards into sex trafficking.

Since 1982, Covenant House, a childcare agency, has offered opportunities to more than 90,000 young people. Covenant House Toronto was the second site of 22 that span from Alaska to South America. They provide a 24/7 crisis shelter, transitional housing and services including outreach, education, counselling and employment assistance.

In the sex trafficking industry, people are often lured at a young age. Their predators pose as trustworthy romantic partners or friends who establish a relationship with their victims. Fiona described the general characteristics of a healthy relationship and identified warning signs of an unhealthy one that may lead to sex trafficking. Signs include emotional blackmail, cutting you off from friends and family and giving gifts and expecting favours in return.

Fiona made students aware that youth from all backgrounds can be lured into the sex trafficking industry – it could happen to a friend, family member or themselves. She encouraged students to watch out for signs of an unhealthy relationship amongst friends. If they feel that they are in trouble, resources and help are always available.

Additional programs in this interactive presentation series presented at Greenwood earlier this year include Before You Run and Reality Check.

Thanks Fiona and Covenant House!

Greenwood parents Jodi Tanenbaum, Jodi Chapnik and Debbie Farquharson will be sleeping outside along with more than 60 other women on Friday, May 26 as part of Sleep Out: Women Unite, a new Covenant House Toronto fundraiser for homeless, at-risk and trafficked youth. Please visit womensleepout.ca to learn more about this experiential event or to donate. If you’d like to join, please contact Stacey Carcao, Special Events Manager at Covenant House Toronto (and also a Greenwood parent), at scarcao@covenanthouse.ca or 647-252-2531.

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Fiona Jack presents "Trafficked" at Greenwood on April 7

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