On Monday May 15, 2023, SWAN Vancouver spoke to the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women for its study on human trafficking. Executive Director Angela made the following presentation:
Summary
“Most anti-trafficking initiatives perpetuate misinformation that do a disservice to both trafficking victims and other marginalized groups. Human trafficking awareness trainings continue to use vague, overbroad, and frankly, often racist ‘red flags’ or ‘indicators’ that trafficking is occurring.”
“Some of the most marginalized and systemically vulnerable women do not report violence or exploitation. Our current laws and policies that are meant to address trafficking are self-contradictory. How can we expect law enforcement to protect the very same people that are criminalized by the laws they enforce?”
“I ask the Committee to really think critically about the issue of human trafficking, and recognize that while it is absolutely important to address, we do not have to jeopardize sex workers’ lives to do so.”