According to Statistics Canada, as of 2020, 96 per cent of victims of human trafficking in the country were women or girls.

The issue is well known to Kelowna RCMP Supt. Kara Triance, who recently told council about trafficking incidents that involved two young girls in 2021.

One was a 12-year-old, found alone in a hotel room, and the other was a young woman from Quebec who was found in a back alley. Both of them received help from RCMP and social service organizations. A third case, in 2022, involved working with Alberta law enforcement in locating a known trafficker.

含羞草研究社淚 highlight that because I don含羞草研究社檛 think many of us believe that this happens in our community,含羞草研究社� added Triance.

She said the crime is difficult to track and it含羞草研究社檚 challenging to identify those who are responsible.

含羞草研究社淭he data is simply not there for human trafficking, and it含羞草研究社檚 absolutely marginalized individuals who don含羞草研究社檛 have a direct line to police.含羞草研究社�

Kelowna RCMP is part of the #notinmycity campaign, which was highlighted by Canadian country singer Paul Brandt during a visit to the city last month.

READ MORE: Canadian country star addresses human trafficking in Kelowna

RCMP has completed training in how to spot human trafficking at local businesses, bars, pubs and nightclubs, and recently hosted multi-agency training involving the Ministry of Children and Family Development, BC Prosecution Service and other law enforcement agencies.

含羞草研究社淭his issue does occur in our community and predators are in our community,含羞草研究社� explained Triance. 含羞草研究社淲e must do our best to educate our community of the signs and detect this crime.含羞草研究社�

A free 30-minute course on spotting the signs of human trafficking is available on the

Community Safety Director Darren Caul noted that Kelowna is the first in the country to have select staff trained through the program.

含羞草研究社淲e have staff whose positions bring them into contact with the people or places that are susceptible to human trafficking.含羞草研究社�

Additional services and information are also available on the and government websites.

READ MORE: Kelowna councillor wants referendum to borrow $241M for recreation

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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