More education coming for N.B. students, teachers to raise awareness of human trafficking

Teachers and students can be exposed to human trafficking whether they know it or not, say experts who want school systems to bring in programs that would keep students safe. 

The New Brunswick Department of Education is trying to create resources for anglophone school districts that would promote awareness and prevention of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

"These resources are meant to support teaching students about how to build healthy relationships," Erika Jutras, spokesperson for the department, said in a statement. "We are working on a plan to share these resources with teachers."   

In February, the department will be offering sessions on human trafficking and sexual exploitation for schools, government departments and community agencies "to provide the best services possible to our children and youth," Jutras said.

Human trafficking is defined as the control over and exploitation of an individual, most often for sexual exploitation, according to an Ontario government policy. Sex trafficking can include luring, grooming, recruiting, harbouring, or providing a person for the purpose of sex, it says.

Shannon Waite, a University of New Brunswick professor of cyber violence and human trafficking, said human traffickers are predominantly targeting youth between the ages of 12 and 14, and Indigenous youth as young as eight, which she calls "shocking."

She said that when traffickers lure one victim, they often use them as a means of recruiting their classmates and peers, making it harder to spot.

"It's not the predator by the school bus any longer, whispering, 'Come here, come here.'"

She said by the time victims realize that they're being exploited, it's often too late because "they've already given intimate photos, intimate information, they've already taken payment," and they're too embarrassed to come forward.

Waite said traffickers look for vulnerable youth, and that's why it's important for schools to have a proper support system, without blame or judgment. 

White Ribbon Canada is a not-for-profit organization that works with men and boys to promote gender equality, healthy masculinity and to end all forms of gender based violence and discrimination.

Humberto Carolo, White Ribbon CEO, said the group recently participated in a two-year national initiative that included the New Brunswick Teachers' Association, to create tools and resources to use in the classroom. Those resources are geared toward middle and high school students to help them spot the signs of exploitation and reach out for help when needed. 

He said it's important for students to "learn about consent, healthy relationships, healthy [masculinity] and allyship, so "they don't end up being part of the problem … and know what they can do to change the culture."

Carolo said traffickers often pose as friends, romantic partners or trusted peers. They gradually target youth in and around schools, at after-school hangouts, or online, making it more difficult for parents and school authorities to detect.