
From: OPP West Region Twitter
Grey Bruce OPP are partnering up with the Municipality of Grey Highlands and Grey Highlands Police Services Board to hold a community information session on human trafficking.
Set for March 23 at 7 p.m. at the Centre Grey Recreation Complex in Markdale, keynote speaker Constable Melissa Barfoot says the goal is to raise awareness among community members and professional stakeholders regarding human trafficking in rural Grey County.
“We want to give community members insight on how to identify human trafficking, vulnerable persons, and express to the public that they can assist police being our eyes and ears for exploited victims. For a long time we have had this misconception in our community that it’s not happening in rural Ontario, but in fact it is,” says Barfoot.
She adds they are looking to have community discussions in hope to aid victims and prevent criminal offences through community partnerships.
“On average 12 to 13-year-olds are the highest age bracket being groomed by predators,” says Barfoot. “We are seeing an increase in service calls for human trafficking, particularly our marginalized population, our vulnerable youth, and because of the education pieces in schools, we are having it being reported to us.”
For more details, contact Jenn Evans at jennevansconsulting@gmail.com.