The experience of sexual exploitation is actually also an experience of coercive control. We have written extensively about it, some of it published, and I'm happy to share it with the committee.
Essentially, by expanding and extending criminalization of coercive control to include victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking, it would give the police yet another tool in their tool box to intervene sooner into experiences of sexual exploitation. As well, it would give victims of sexual exploitation more tools to understand what is happening to them and possibly reach out for support without feeling like they're going to be stigmatized for making decisions. People often ask them things like, “Why did you stay?” or “Why didn't you run away?”, and things like that. The criminalization of coercive control will change that discourse and make them understand there are supports and services available.