Close to Home - Trafficking in Toronto

​Often times, when thinking of trafficking, it is easy to think of the issue as one that happens in other places of the world. Not something that happens in our own backyard. In reality, this is a local issue that happens right here in Toronto. According to Status of Women Canada, over 90% of trafficking cases are domestic in Canada. This means those trafficked come from within our boarders and are trafficked within our boarders. The other 10% of women are trafficked from outside our country. It is important to be aware of the situation around us.

Important Stats
According to Toronto Police Services, since 2013, there have been:

• 1,972 charges laid
• 954 occurances
• 281 Arrests
• 220 Victims
• 47 convictions

All of this, in Toronto alone.
 
Current Climate
Since the beginning of November 2018, two Toronto men have been pressed with human trafficking charges. Tal Amdurski and Kalib James Rahi. Their photos are below, respectively.

​Tal has been charged on 8 accounts. According to the press release, the girl pressing charges met Tal on social media in June 2018 when she was coerced into the sex trade. The girl was transported to various hotels in the GTA where she was expected to perform sexual services. 
 
 
The photo above is another man by the name of Kalib James Rahi has also been arrested here in Toronto.  This man has allegedly forced two women into the sex trade throughout Ontario and Quebec.  He is also alleged to have sexually assaulted these women on multiple occasions.
 
What’s Being Done
Covenant House Toronto has opened up a home specifically for survivors of human trafficking called Rogers Home. This home is meant to fill the gaps in Covenant House’s urban response program.  Nearly 4 years ago covenant house designated 2 beds specifically for survivors of trafficking, though the beds are at 100% capacity at all times.
 
Rogers Home will offer 6 beds to women between the ages of 16 and 24.  The space will have 24/7 supervision and allow women to stay up to 2 years as they make plans for their future. Since the first conviction in Toronto under human trafficking laws in 2014, trafficking has been a hot topic in Toronto with Covenant house at the forefront.
 
What More We Can Do
It is important to remember that trafficking is not just a global issue, but also a local one.  With over 200 survivors identified in the past four years and only 8 beds being provided by Covenant House it is obvious that there is a need for more space for survivors.  At Fight4Freedom we have cast vision for one day opening our own safe house for survivors of trafficking. We are hoping for this day and can use all the help we can get. Please keep us in your prayers.