March 14, 2014
Province Joins AMC, Community Partners to Fight Child Sexual Exploitation
– – –Initiative to Give Voice to First Nations Women, Work Toward Ending Human Trafficking: Minister Irvin-Ross
The Manitoba government is partnering with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, the Canadian Women’s Foundation and remote communities to fight the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children and women, Family Services Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross said today.
“A high percentage of sexually exploited children are of Aboriginal descent,” Minister Irvin-Ross said during Stop Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Week. “This new initiative will focus on developing strategies to end human trafficking of First Nations women and children.”
The initiative, called Our Circle to Protect Sacred Lives, will develop strategies based on the cultural and individual strengths of First Nations communities, the minister said. The Manitoba government and the Canadian Women’s Foundation will jointly fund the $100,000 project.
“We are grateful to the Canadian Women’s Foundation and the Province of Manitoba for providing funding to continue the work of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs-First Nation’s Women’s Committee on critical issues that impact our women, children and families,” said Grand Chief Derek Nepinak of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. “Our Circle to Protect Sacred Lives will bring much needed information, resources and tools to over 15 remote communities to assist them to develop an action plan based on each community’s culture and strengths, including the Seven Sacred Teachings. It’s time to give voice to our First Nations women, youth, girls and communities for empowerment and healing. Through this empowerment we can stand strong, united and stand honoured to prevent human trafficking and stop the sexual exploitation of First Nations people.”
“Our funding is part of the Canadian Women's Foundation’s ongoing national commitment to end human trafficking of women and girls for the purpose of sexual exploitation in Canada,” said Diane Redsky, director, Human Trafficking Task Force, Canadian Women’s Foundation. “We know through our national consultations with 250 Canadian organizations and 150 survivors of sex trafficking that those who are bought and sold from inside Canada are most often marginalized young girls and women. They are Aboriginal, racialized, immigrants and abuse survivors. The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs’ critical work in northern Manitoba First Nation communities will build on community knowledge and strength to protect young Aboriginal girls from these remote communities from being lured to urban areas and trafficked into forced prostitution.”
This new initiative will be a component of Tracia’s Trust: Manitoba’s Sexual Exploitation Strategy, which has actively addressed the issue through awareness, prevention and intervention initiatives, said Minister Irvin-Ross. With an annual budget of more than $10 million, Manitoba continues to lead the nation in support and programming under Tracia’s Trust, the minister added.
Initiatives under the strategy include the creation of a Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking Act, the designation of two specialized Crown attorneys to co-ordinate and prosecute sexual exploitation cases, criminal property forfeiture legislation and an expanded Victims’ Bill of Rights. Tracia’s Trust regional teams have also been established in 12 Manitoba cities and towns to raise awareness and counter local sexual exploitation, the minister said.
More information on Tracia’s Trust: Manitoba’s Sexual Exploitation Strategy is available at www.gov.mb.ca/fs/traciastrust/index.html.
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The Province of Manitoba is issuing this release on behalf of the Government of Manitoba, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Canadian Women's Foundation.