2010 impacts

 

Recently, a lot of public statements have been made and concerns rose over the potential of an alarming increase in human trafficking in relation to the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation. We at the office to combat human trafficking share your concerns.   In response, With support from The British Columbia Office to Combat Trafficking in People, SIWSAG (Sex Industry Worker Safety Action Group- VPD/ Sex Worker partnership), retained Frontline Consulting to produce a background study on the potential impact of the 2010 Olympic Games on the trafficking in persons for the purpose of sexual exploitation and on safety issues for sex workers.   The study explores these issues though the experience of cities that have recently hosted mega sport events. This study represents the first step of a multi-phased 2010 Impact project that is being undertaken by SIWSAG.   The document-Human Trafficking, Sex Work Safety and the 2010 Games: Assessments and Recommendations Regarding Collateral Impacts represents the first step of a multi-phased 2010 Impact project, hopes to increase health and safety for all while decreasing human trafficking and violence against sex workers. This study will be used as a working document to aid SIWSAG and its partners in moving forward into the next phase of the project to develop evidence-based strategies in relation to human trafficking in Canada.   In relation to the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, public statements have been made which project an alarming increase in this human trafficking.  These claims are inconsistent with the evidence in this research document, that trafficking and mega-events are not linked.  Nonetheless, the several recommendations in this report are directed primarily to ensure that prevention, early detection and intervention of human trafficking are indeed maximized, prior to, during and post the games.     2010 Phase 2-   Phase 2 of this project will use this discussion document for a series of all stake holder planning sessions in order to ensure all sides have a say in the design of strategies to combat human trafficking.   Project Objectives/Goals

• To provide specialized sex industry specific resources for the victims of human trafficking.
• To connect the victims of human trafficking to support services and organizations
• To build alternative strategies and best practices for all stake holders to better protect and support the victims of human trafficking.
• To work with all stake holders including support services, enforcement services and sex industry community members to design a strategy that allows sex industry workers more open and meaningful access to supports and more balance and protection based approaches from enforcement in terms of the victims of human trafficking.
• To increase the numbers of sex industry workers reporting human trafficking.
• To initiate a balanced system wide shift in policies, practices and procedures towards protection and understanding.

http://vancouver.ca/police/diversity/2009/HumanTrafficking.pdf