You may not see it or even realize it is happening in your community, but it is an evil that hides in the dark shadows of society, and sex trafficking is one of the most dangerous crimes that continues to expand.

Mia Golden, a youth and family affairs advisor with the Youth Mobile Services Team in Victoria, explains that the problem exists in all communities, stating: “It’s a big issue and it happens everywhere, but people don’t realize it.”

Janet Campbell, the CEO of the Joy Smith Foundation, pointed out that human trafficking occurs everywhere, whether in major cities or rural areas, adding: “It’s an incredibly heinous crime.”

The painful story of Jade, who was trafficked at the age of fifteen, shows how traffickers target the most vulnerable groups, such as children in care facilities. Jade described how she was exploited by someone she thought was her protector, but was actually trafficking her.

According to "Justice for Girls" lawyer Sue Brown, children in care are the most susceptible to exploitation. She confirmed that the crisis is worsening in Canada, noting that the number of cases is continuously increasing and often starts from young ages as young as 11 years old.

The crime relies on manipulation and control, with traffickers exploiting victims for financial gain and power. Most victims suffer from deep and long-lasting trauma as a result of the violence and exploitation they have endured.

Statistics indicate that a quarter of reported cases in Canada involve children, but many cases go unreported due to a lack of trust in the current system. Brown says: “I don’t blame survivors for not coming forward, because they don’t trust that anyone will protect them.”

This reality must change so that victims, like Jade, can receive justice and protection.