Canada considered serious market for human trafficking - countless children
targeted for labour and sexual exploitation

World Vision lends international perspective at Ottawa event with Canadian trafficking expert Benjamin Perrin and MP Joy Smith

TORONTO, Oct. 26 /CNW/ - On Wednesday, October 27 World Vision will join human trafficking expert Benjamin Perrin and MP Joy Smith near Parliament Hill for the launch of Perrin's book Invisible Chains. The child-focused agency applauds Perrin's revealing exposé that takes the blinders off of the Canadian side of trafficking. The abuse and exploitation associated with human trafficking occurs worldwide-no country is exempt from this crime.

"This is the crime that shames us all," says Carleen McGuinty, Child Protection Policy Advisor at World Vision Canada. "Children are being manipulated and abused as pawns in an incredibly lucrative underground industry. Their lives and futures are being risked. Tackling this must be a national and a global priority."

BACKGROUND:
World Vision has been combating child trafficking, forced child labour and the sexual exploitation of children for more than a decade in overseas projects. The agency works in nearly 100 countries where they do relief, development and advocacy with local communities.

In recent years, World Vision has been meeting with and encouraging the Canadian government to come up with a concrete plan to stop trafficking at home and overseas. This would include measures to prevent trafficking, protect victims and prosecute traffickers.

FACTS:

• An estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked every year for labour and sexual exploitation.
• Canada is a source, transit and destination country for child and human trafficking.
• Human trafficking has annual profits of approximately US$31.6 billion and is the third largest grossing sector of organized crime after drugs and arms.
• Canada's law that imposes minimum sentences on child traffickers was passed in June. It has the full support of World Vision and other anti-trafficking organizations.

EVENT:
Wednesday, October 27 at 10:30 am EST
National Press Theatre
National Press Building
150 Wellington Street, Ottawa, ON

CONTACTS
Rachel Allred, cell: 647-328-3769 [email protected]

World Vision is a leading Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by our Christian values, we are dedicated to working with the world's most vulnerable people. We serve all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

For further information:

Rachel Allred, cell: 647-328-3769 [email protected]