Human trafficking is often seen as something that happens somewhere else — to someone else. But the truth is, it’s closer to home than many of us realize. Whether we’re talking about public health, the economy, safety in our communities or basic human rights, trafficking affects us all. Here are five reasons why this issue deserves everyone’s attention.
1. Human trafficking is a public health issue
Survivors often face severe physical and mental health challenges because of the conditions they were subjected to. Untreated injuries, malnutrition, substance use and chronic illnesses are common. So are the longer-term impacts, like anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. These struggles don’t exist in isolation; they affect families, strain relationships and place added pressure on health care systems, emergency services and community supports.
When trafficking isn’t prevented, the cost is felt across entire communities.
2. Prevention saves lives — and money
Supporting survivors often requires a wide range of services: housing, health care, trauma counselling, legal help, and job training. These supports are essential — they help people rebuild their lives after unimaginable harm. But they are resource-intensive, and they often come into play only after someone has been exploited.
When we invest in education, outreach and support people at risk, we help stop trafficking before it starts. It’s not only the right thing to do — it’s the smart thing to do.
3. Human trafficking can happen to anyone
One of the most enduring myths about trafficking is that it only happens to certain kinds of people. But traffickers don’t discriminate; they exploit people from all socioeconomic backgrounds, including those from stable homes and upper middle-class neighborhoods. While no one is truly immune, sex trafficking disproportionately affects women, girls and gender-diverse people — especially Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit folks.
Recognizing that trafficking can happen to anyone can help challenge harmful stereotypes and encourages people to take an active role in prevention efforts.
4. Trafficking harms communities — and traffickers often walk free
Trafficking isn’t an isolated crime. Traffickers are often involved in drug trafficking, illegal weapons trade, financial fraud, money laundering, and other forms of organized crime. Communities most impacted by trafficking are more likely to see increases in these related crimes.
While it’s the victims who suffer the most, traffickers rarely face consequences. According to Statistics Canada, just 10 per cent of human trafficking cases in Canada result in a conviction. As a result, many traffickers stay in our communities, always on the lookout for new people to exploit.
By supporting anti-trafficking efforts, you’re not just helping survivors — you’re helping make our communities safer.
5. It’s a human rights issue
At its core, human trafficking is a violation of basic human rights. Survivors — many of whom were forced, manipulated, or coerced — often face harsh judgment and stigma. But no one chooses to be trafficked, no one deserves to be exploited, and no one should be treated as less-than because of what they’ve endured.
Upholding the rights and dignity of survivors isn’t optional — it reflects the kind of society we choose to be.
Final thoughts
It is easy to overlook a social issue when we think it doesn’t affect us. But human trafficking reaches into every corner of society; it strains health care systems, threatens public safety — and violates the basic human rights we all deserve.
Far from being a distant issue, human trafficking happens in communities, big and small, across Canada. And while its impacts are widespread, the most important voices in this work are those of survivors.
When we listen to survivors, support their leadership, and take meaningful action, we can move closer to building a country where no one is exploited — and no one is left behind.
To learn more about human trafficking and how to recognize the signs, visit canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca.
