A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
Indigenous women make up a segment of the population that is particularly susceptible to being victims of human trafficking in North America. National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is approaching and the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort will be hosting events to raise awareness and engage the community.
On February 22, which is observed as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, the Akwesasne Family Wellness Program will collaborate with other organizations to host one of these events, titled “Sex Trafficking 101,” at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort.
Pat Dussault, a retired OPP officer, who works to stop people from being trafficked is a liaison to the Akwesasne Family Wellness Program. From reporting by The Standard Freeholder, “The awareness was lacking for several years,” said Dussault, taking about one of the many effects on the pandemic. “A girl who was 12 or 13 (in 2020) and is 15 or 16 now and could be a target of traffickers, well, it’s very possible she and her family isn’t aware of the problem.”
At the event titled “Sex Trafficking 101,” which is being co-hosted by the Akwesasne Family Wellness Program and the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, attendees will learn about topics such as the warning signs of sex trafficking as well as the risks associated with using social media, such as the use of fake “apps” by young people in an attempt to avoid detection.
The following day, on February 23, another event, a What’s My Role? Human Trafficking Community Building Workshop courtesy of Timea’s Cause Inc. will be conducted at the Cornwall Golf and Country Club. Targeted participants in the workshop on community mobilization that will last for one day and take place between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. are law enforcement officers and those who provide social services.
Timea’s Cause Inc. says on its webpage, “Timea’s Cause is a Sustainable Advocacy and Educational center. Timea’s Cause is a Social Enterprise and the world’s first survivor-led global educational and awareness firm specializing in modern-day slavery awareness, prevention and education.”
The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne’s website has additional information on the event as well as information on how to register for the workshop. http://www.akwesasne.ca/human-trafficking-community-building-workshop-february-2023/
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