Human Trafficking in B.C.

Human trafficking is a global problem and Canada is not immune. Canada has been identified as both a transit and a destination point for human trafficking, and Vancouver has been singled out by the U.S. state department as a port of major concern.

Due to the hidden nature of the crime, most human trafficking activities are undetected or unreported. Human trafficking is a serious violation of human rights. In British Columbia, human trafficking is recognized as a problem that cannot be ignored.

In 2007 British Columbia established the Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons (OCTIP). OCTIP is responsible for the development and overall coordination of British Columbia’s strategy to address human trafficking. OCTIP takes a human rights centered approach. This means that the rights and needs of trafficked persons are placed at the centre of all OCTIP work. In collaboration with other provincial ministries, federal departments, municipal governments, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations, OCTIP aims to eliminate human trafficking and build services for trafficked persons in British Columbia.

OCTIP is focused on the protection of trafficked persons and on the prevention of human trafficking. The Office will also assist law enforcement in the prosecution of human trafficking offenders.

Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons (OCTIP)
The Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons (OCTIP) opened under the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General in July 2007 with a mandate to develop and coordinate B.C.’s response to human trafficking. As the first office of its kind in Canada, OCTIP has joined forces with key provincial ministries, federal departments, municipal governments, law enforcement agencies, community based and aboriginal organizations, in the development and delivery of an integrated and permanent response to human trafficking in B.C.

OCTIP reports to the Deputy Solicitor General and is jointly funded by two provincial ministries: the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General; and Children and Family Development.

Goals of OCTIP
Reduce and prevent human trafficking

Identify and protect trafficked persons

Coordinate services for trafficked persons

Contribute to national and international efforts, including prosecutions, to eliminate human trafficking

The Office evolved out of the two year 'Human Trafficking Response Initiative' established in 2005 by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, with a focus on examining the extent of trafficking in B.C. The work to develop a comprehensive response ensuring immediate and ongoing access to services for trafficked persons began at this time.

The Office is partly funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development where B.C.’s Migrant Services Program provides care and protection to trafficked, resettled, and refugee children and youth. This unique program has been recognized by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Red Cross as an exceptional example of best practices for the treatment of separated children and youth.

The Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons is building a parallel service for adults, as well as developing education and awareness strategies to increase public knowledge of human trafficking and how to identify it. The Office is studying global anti-human-trafficking efforts to inform its programs and projects.

British Columbia is leading the way nationally in responding to human trafficking situations, and other government bodies and organizations across the country are turning to B.C. for advice as they develop services and responses for human trafficking.

Source: Human Trafficking in BC