Status of Women committee  The trial is continuing in March 2007.

Status of Women committee  I would just say generally that it's a huge step for them to have these girls tell us their story, given the language barrier, the cultural barriers, the loss of face. You can imagine how embarrassed they are and what their level of self-esteem is when we do deal with these women.

Status of Women committee  The girls had been assaulted in a massage parlour, ran into the middle of a busy street, and flagged down passersby to call 911.

Status of Women committee  Following up on that comment, this is also really important. I've heard some NGOs in Vancouver comment that they don't want to bring the victims to us because they're afraid the scary police will send them to jail. We're stuck trying to convince the victim, but we shouldn't have to convince the NGOs.

Status of Women committee  I think the only thing you can say is that it takes just a lot of hard work by police officers and immigration people on the ground. I go into massage parlours all the time with a Cantonese- or Mandarin-speaking interpreter, whatever the case may be. I hand out my card and I get my face shown, and I tell them over and over and again that if they need help, this is the number for them to call and they will not be sent to jail.

Status of Women committee  I understand that human trafficking does involve farm labourers, etc. My sergeant and I work in the vice section, so we're only involved in the investigation of sexual exploitation. We can't really comment on human trafficking beyond that topic.

Status of Women committee  Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. I'm Detective Constable Michelle Holm of the Vancouver Police Department. It is my pleasure to meet with you today to discuss the actions being taken by the Vancouver Police Department to combat human trafficking and share some of our experiences with the committee.