Issues surrounding human trafficking will come to light during a Western-sponsored forum on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 5 and 6.
Hosted by the Violence Against Women Learning Network (LearningNetwork), the Human Trafficking Forum will be held Tuesday, March 5 at the Hilton Hotel, 300 King St., London. This forum brings together speakers from across Canada who will share knowledge and perspectives regarding human trafficking, discuss recent policy and legislation changes, human rights concerns and understanding the experience of and impacts on victims.
A Human Trafficking Knowledge Exchange will be hosted on Wednesday, March 6. This exchange brings members of six anti-trafficking coalitions from across Ontario and government representatives together to share initiatives, identify gaps, emerging issues and promising responses.
“Human trafficking is a serious human rights violation and a clandestine crime. It is perpetrated primarily against women and children, occurs at the international and Canadian level, and involves the recruitment, transportation or harbouring of persons for the purpose of exploitation,” said Linda Baker, learning director for the Centre for Research & Education Against Women & Children. “The consequences of this gendered violence are devastating. The forum will provide diverse perspectives and relevant information for community stakeholders working to prevent human trafficking, protect those affected and hold perpetrators accountable.”
LearningNetwork is an initiative of the Centre for Research & Education on Violence against Women & Children at Western Education. Funded by the Province of Ontario, the LearningNetwork grew out of recommendations from a Domestic Violence Advisory Council report in 2009.
LearningNetwork mobilizes knowledge and promotes effective public education and professional training materials to address violence against women (including sexual and domestic violence, sexual harassment, effects of exposure to domestic violence on children, and human trafficking).