When we consider human trafficking as a conditional sentence based on the section of the Criminal Code you mentioned, it really undermines the seriousness of this particular crime. We know that in London, Ontario, for example, we are considered a hub for human trafficking. A lot of human trafficking happens right here in our city, and up and down the 401 corridor, the highway that goes from Windsor all the way to northern Ontario. The problem is that when you have an individual who has a conditional sentence and is put back into the community, oftentimes women are faced with having to face the offender as well, and that is very harmful.
We see time and time again women coming into our centre, and they can't even use their real names. We have to meet them outside of our centre. They can't be seen in our parking lot with our signage, because of the very dangerous situation that it puts them in when an offender is not maybe in jail, or is left back in the community. It really puts women at a higher risk, and it makes women have to watch their backs wherever they go. The quote I gave from my colleague, Caroline, speaks to that exactly. Women are left to pick up the pieces. Women are left to come to a centre like ours and seek counselling.