Hello, my name is Kathleen Douglass. I am long-time member of Zonta, and I am joined by my colleague, Melissa Marchand, a member of our advocacy committee.
For background, Zonta International is a service organization with over 100 years of service in building a better world for women and girls. We hold consultative status with the United Nations and support global sustainable development targets 5.2 and 8.7, which both address the issue of forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking.
Zonta has a history of tackling the issue of sex trafficking, going back to the sexual enslavement of women and girls in the 1990s Bosnian war, when we financially supported local aid organizations to provide recovery services for survivors.
We know that the multi-billion-dollar global business of human sex trafficking has surpassed gun and drug trafficking for the first time in history. This speaks to the urgent need to address this heinous crime.
Unfortunately, Ontario accounts for more than half of the cases in Canada. Even more regrettably, the GTA, including Peel, is a sex trafficking hub. All of this is in our own backyard. You have the relevant data, so instead let me share with you our community perspective.
The Zonta Club of Brampton-Caledon, a very small service group, has been an active member of the Peel human trafficking network committee since its formation, the only volunteer organization amid the service-providing professionals. We contribute our time, energy, and funds to the work being done by these committed specialists.
Our club advocacy strategy has a two-pronged approach.
The first part is service. Our members volunteer at the local bingo hall twice a month to raise funds to distribute back to the community. Over the past few years, we have contributed over $100,000 to local organizations affiliated with the anti-trafficking effort. The funding has addressed gaps in various programs, such as victim services, emergency services and housing.
The second part of our approach is raising awareness. We conduct social media campaigns and host community awareness events where we feature experts who can speak directly to the very real impact of trafficking in Peel. The 16 Days of Activism event this past November focused on awareness of the rapidly growing cases of trafficking, specifically in the Peel region, and a call to action to speak up and speak out.
Inevitably, the guests at these events leave somewhat shaken and sometimes angered, but always educated by something that they didn't know existed in our otherwise safe world. Feedback we have received includes “I would never guess that this was such an issue”, “I am relieved to know that there are people who are willing to do something about this”, or even “This is me.”
During the pandemic, we didn't rest. We hosted online educational presentations, panels and symposia on the topic of gender-based violence and trafficking. We sponsor secondary school groups called Z clubs, which raise awareness and inform peers—the prime target age group for trafficking—through programs, events and activities that promote access to education, resources and support.
Our small but mighty group has inspired and supported other Zonta clubs and members across the country to educate themselves, spread the word, donate and advocate on behalf of those whose voices have either been silenced or not been heard. In Peel, we pursue advocacy from an all-inclusive perspective, whereby we learn together, commit to a common cause and then go beyond listening. We take action.
What we have learned, and what we believe would be the next best step in the prevention and mitigation of human trafficking, is more community awareness; education through the secondary schools, perhaps built right into the curriculum; and continued sustainable funding for the current projects that make a difference in the lives of those whose names we will never know.
Our newest club member is Lena. She's a trafficking survivor, and I would like to relate her words: “Being trafficked can cause severe trauma and survivors often need intensive, specialized services and support to rebuild their lives and these services are delivered through non-profits who have active voices and advocates of justice for women and men impacted by the sex industry and assisting them in finding necessary support that will aid them in their journey to safety, healing, and restoration.”
Respectfully, Zonta is one of those non-profits with an active voice, as we promote awareness, challenge stigma and encourage action through our advocacy commitment.
We thank you for the opportunity to share with you from a community perspective, a volunteer perspective and a human perspective.