If this is an emergency, please call 9-1-1

What is human trafficking? 
Human trafficking is a criminal offence involving the exploitation of a person through force, coercion, threats, fraud, or deception for someone else’s financial gain.

It is important to distinguish sex work from human trafficking. Sex work involves personal choice, where individuals keep their earnings and may leave the work when they choose.
Domestic Sex Trafficking occurs when a person is controlled, manipulated, or intimidated into providing sexual services, and the trafficker takes the money earned.

Requirements for filing an online human trafficking report:

To submit a report online, you must:

  • Have a valid email address
  • Complete the contact and  address information fields

When you submit your report, you will:

  • See the confirmation message: “Your online police report has been submitted.”
  • Receive a temporary police report number
  • Be able to print a copy of your submission for your records

Please keep the following in mind when filing a human trafficking report:

  • All online Human Trafficking reports are reviewed within 48 hours.
  • Once processed, you will receive an official report number by email
  • A Detective will contact you after reviewing your report

If you wish to remain anonymous, please contact:

Support Services
The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline offers a confidential, multilingual service, operating 24/7/365 to connect victims and survivors of forced prostitution and forced labour with social services and/or law enforcement in communities across Canada.

File a Human Trafficking Report

How are victims recruited?
Victims are often recruited through social media platforms (such as Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat), fake job offers, word of mouth, and public places including bars, clubs, restaurants, malls, and parties. Traffickers may use flattery, expensive gifts, attention, and the appearance of a romantic relationship to build trust and gain control.
Know the signs of human trafficking
  • The person appears disoriented, withdrawn, or poorly cared for.
  • Someone else seems to control their movements or speaks on their behalf.
  • They appear older than their age due to makeup or styling and may be with older individuals.
  • They show signs of physical abuse or branding, such as tattoos.
  • They say they are visiting but cannot explain where they are staying.
  • They are driven everywhere, have no fixed address, and may not have identification.
  • They travel with very little luggage, sometimes only one large bag.
  • They miss school, drop out entirely, or are isolated from friends and family.

Human Trafficking and Intimate Partner Violence Toolkit for Survivors

Guiding Our Path - Together We Heal Toolkit

The Guiding Our Path - Together We Heal Toolkit was created through Trauma-informed Indigenous Prevention and Support (TIIPS) Project funded by the Government of Ontario and led by the Greater Sudbury Police Service in partnership with Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre and N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre. 

This toolkit was developed with the help of our community partners including Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre, N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre, Sudbury and Area Victim Services, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek Restorative Justice, the Indigenous Advisory Committee and those with lived-experience.

We recognize that our service area includes a large urban Indigenous population and is surrounded by 10 First Nations communities. Greater Sudbury is also a major transit route between Northern and Southern Ontario, which increases the risk of Human Trafficking activity, movement, and recruitment.

With this in mind, our community has identified the need for increased awareness, education, intervention, culturally inclusive survivor supports, safety planning, outreach, and improved service and justice equity. This guide was developed to help potential victims and survivors access information, support healing, and reduce the harm caused by exploitation and violence.

Support Services
If you or someone you know has been or is being trafficked there are various community programs and services to help survivors heal, rebuild their lives and regain independence. Visit the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline website to access a national directory of social services and educational/awareness materials available.

Learn more about Ontario's Strategy to End Human Trafficking.

Locally, you can speak confidentially with Sudbury and Area Victim Services (SAVS) at 705-522-6970.