We work to meet the acute, immediate and long-term resource and support needs of persons affected by human trafficking, including persons who have exited a trafficking situation, their families and communities, as well as persons who may be at risk of exploitation for the purposes of sexual exploitation, labour exploitation or organ removal / harvest.
We also provide training to service providers to educate them on the indicators of human trafficking so as to develop their ability to identify a trafficked person and know how to respond appropriately.
We are committed to creating and sustaining a continuum among organizations, service providers, community members and volunteers that provides a uniform, timely and appropriate response to those who seek access to supports, services and resources because they have been affected by human trafficking, irrespective of their age, gender, religion, sexual orientation and ethno-cultural background. Irrespective of the avenue through which a person seeks assistance, our commitment is to work together within and outside our network to ensure that the response is equally appropriate and effective.
We are a community-based, volunteer network of local organizations, service providers and community members that represent a variety of sectors including – youth groups; spiritual groups; victim services; health care; law enforcement; corrections; justice; Métis, First Nations and Inuit organizations; shelters; affordable housing; academia and formerly trafficked persons, among others. The Coalition is neither a registered charity nor a nonprofit corporation, but is currently taking steps to acquire this status. In the interim, its work is supported through funding grants and private donations.
The Ottawa Coalition to End Human Trafficking was established in 2014 to support local community organizations and agencies in their efforts to combat human trafficking in the Ottawa region. Since its inception, the Coalition has provided a vital platform for stakeholders, including community agencies, law enforcement, legal advocates, frontline workers, and representatives from municipal, provincial and federal governments, to unite in their shared mission of eradicating human trafficking in Ottawa and across Canada.
Currently, the Coalition boasts representation from over 65 organizations. Within this collaborative environment, members can cultivate innovative approaches, share knowledge and expertise, discuss effective strategies, engage in collective problem-solving, and pool their resources and expertise to combat human trafficking. This collective effort is instrumental in advancing the fight against human trafficking, fostering a safer community for all and, more importantly, being a voice for survivors of human trafficking.
