WHEREAS, Trafficking in human beings, mostly women and children, is a global business, and

WHEREAS, The Federal Government of Canada in May, 2006, passed new measures to assist victims of human trafficking under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, and

WHEREAS, The current Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is six months, and

WHEREAS, Social Welfare agencies are not fully knowledgeable on how to access programs already in place for assisting victims of the "human trade" industry, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Hamilton Diocesan Council of the Catholic Women's League of Canada at its 88th annual convention assembled encourage the Federal Government to extend the Temporary Resident Permits (TRP) for suspected victims of human trafficking from six months to three years, and be it further

RESOLVED, That Social Welfare agencies be trained and made aware of all the new programs available to victims of human trafficking, and be it further

RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the Ontario Provincial Council of the Catholic Women's League of Canada for consideration at their July 2008 annual convention.

BRIEF:  Informed Consent

Trafficking occurs across borders in both developed and developing countries. It has become the number one commodity of choice surpassing narcotics and drugs as the major source of income among crime groups. The lower risk and resale of women and children has raised this development into a 7-12 billion dollar a year trade. The complexities and dynamic character of trading in humans change daily depending on the socio-economic conditions of the country, the political stability and the profitability of the trade. (1-U.S. Dept. of Heath & Human Service /2-McConnell)

Trading in humans is a victim-centered crime, which manifests systemic violence against women. It violates basic human rights (3-Universal Declaration of Human Rights) and receives the least amount of attention from the administrative bodies of the countries where victims are routed. Canada lags far behind in passing anti-sex legislation in comparison with the United States and appears to turn a "blind eye" to the numbers of women and children passing in and out of Canada on their way to their final destination.

"Lack of training and awareness, and the absence of protocols and guidelines for trafficking investigations, have meant that much confusion ensures when police are faced with a potential trafficking victim. This results in difficulty in identifying and therefore being able to protect victims, as well as making it difficult to prosecute, as officers and prosecutors may or may not be aware of how to best lay charges in these circumstances." (4-Ratansi) The core sensitivity of the problem presents a "problem" within itself -- when trust for those in positions of authority is limited due to personal background, the ability to assist and give aid is diminished. Very specialized protocols, guidelines and training is required if the "victims" of this global crime is to be abolished!

Recently, Canada passed legislation, which extended its Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) from 120 days to 180 days. (5-Human Trafficking) While a good move in the right direction, the timing is still not long enough! Finding the victims is lengthy; winning their trust is lengthy; determining what the victim wishes to do with her life and what is "best" for her to continue in a meaningful manner is another lengthy process. The current TRP is not long enough! Should an individual be found, with reasonable grounds to suspect trafficking, there must be a means of lengthening the current 180 days of the TRP to a minimum of 365 days with provisions to extend further if there are strong indications of human trafficking. (6-Ratansi)

References

1. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, The Campaign to Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking; About Human Trafficking
2. McConnell, Kathryn. Trafficking an 'Egregious' Form of Slavery. US fighting world's third largest illegal economic activity.
3. Association Against Female Export. Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Article 4 Mission Statement
4. Ratansi, Yasmin. House of Commons Canada, Turning Outrage Into Action to Address Trafficking for the Purpose of Sexual Exploitation, Report of the Standing Committee on the Statue of Women, February 2007, 39th Parliament, 1st Session. Training and Awareness for Law Enforcement (p. 27)
5. Human Trafficking: Actions by the Canadian Government June 2002 -- Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (June 2002)
6. Ratansi, Yasmin. House of Commons Canada, Turning Outrage Into Action to Address Trafficking for the Purpose of Sexual Exploitation, Report of the Standing Committee on the Statue of Women, February 2007, 39th Parliament, 1st Session. Training and Awareness for Law Enforcement (p. 36)

Action plan:  Members are encouraged to:

• Letter Writing -- That all members of the Catholic Women’s League write letters to their members of Parliament and to the Prime Minister of Canada to encourage and advocate the extension of the current Temporary Resident Permit from 180 days to a minimum of one year with the possibility of a further extension up to three years.

Bibliography

1. Association Against Women Export (AAWE) -- www.aawe.net/
2. Human Trafficking: Actions by the Canadian Government June 2002 -- Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
3. McConnell, Kathryn, Trafficking an "Egregious" Form of Slavery, US AID Official Says, Washington File, Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State 15 August 2006. Visit: http://usinfo.state.gov/utils/printpage/html
4. Ratansi, Yasmin, M.P., House of Commons Canada, Turning Outrage Into Action to Address Trafficking for the Purpose of Sexual Exploitation, Report of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, February 2007, 39th Parliament, 1st Session
5. Raymond, Janice G. Ph.D, The Ongoing Tragedy of International Slavery and Human Trafficking: An Overview, Testimony to Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Human Rights and Wellness of the Committee on Government Reform House of Representatives U.S., One Hundred Eighth Congress - October 29, 2003, Likestillings/senteret; www.likstilling.no/artikkel.html
6. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, The Campaign to Rescue & Restore Victims of Human Trafficking; About Human Trafficking. Visit: nbsp;www.acf.hhs.goy/trafficking/aboutlindex.html
7. Web Sites for Information on Trafficking -- 2006

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