SWIFT CURRENT — Police near Swift Current report having intercepted a young victim of human trafficking.
At around 2 p.m. on May 4, the Saskatchewan RCMP Roving Traffic Unit initiated a traffic stop for a speeding vehicle along Highway 1.
"The car had an Ontario license plate and was driven by a female under the age of 16, who was the lone occupant," said RCMP in a media release.
Further investigation revealed that the girl was reported as missing in Ontario, and was a suspected victim of human trafficking. The Ministry of Social Services in Swift Current were called, and the young person was taken to hospital to receive medical care. Efforts to return the girl home are underway.
"No charges are anticipated to be laid," said RCMP, adding that the identity of the girl will not be made public.
RCMP are working with the Hamilton Police Service and the Swift Current RCMP Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team in this investigation.
"Hamilton Police Service has taken carriage of the ongoing investigation due to the area of police jurisdiction," RCMP said.
Human trafficking is a crime without borders, and RCMP urge anyone suspecting such a case to contact their local police service, or call the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010.
"Traffickers maintain control over the victim by using different tactics, such as violence, threats, and manipulation so that the victim believes that they can't leave their situation," explained RCMP.
According to statistics, there have been more than 3,500 reported cases of human trafficking in Canada between 2011 and 2021. Just over 550 cases happened in 2021 alone, and the numbers continue to climb.
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