PACT-Ottawa
  • About PACT
    • Strategic Plan
    • What we do
    • Media
    • Principles
    • Who we are
    • Ottawa Coalition
  • Education
    • Newsletters >
      • Canada's Anti-Human Trafficking Newsletter
      • CCR Bulletin >
        • Bulletin December 2013
        • Bulletin July 2013
        • Bulletin March 2013
        • Bulletin Jan 2013
        • Bulletin May 2012
        • Bulletin November 2012
        • Bulletin Sept 2012
        • Bulletin July 2012
        • Bulletin March 2012
    • Links
    • News >
      • Human Trafficking in Ottawa
      • Human Trafficking in Canada
  • Events
    • Chelsea's Choice
    • Support Free the Girls!
    • Freedom Relay Ottawa >
      • Freedom Relay 2016
      • Freedom Relay 2015
      • Freedom Relay 2013
      • Freedom Relay 2012
      • Freedom Relay 2011 >
        • Media Release
    • End Slavery Day - Dec 2nd >
      • End Slavery Day 2019
      • End Slavery Day 2018
      • End Slavery Day 2017
      • End Slavery Day 2016
      • End Slavery Day 2015
      • End Slavery Day 2014
      • End Slavery Day 2013
      • End Slavery Day 2012 >
        • Media Advisory
      • End Slavery Day 2011
      • End Slavery Day 2010 >
        • Media Advisory
        • Poster
        • Registration form
        • End Slavery Day 2010 Photos
      • End Slavery Day 2009 >
        • Poster
        • Guest Speaker
      • End Slavery Day 2008 >
        • Fact Sheet
        • Poster
        • Guest Speakers
    • Fundraising >
      • Archived Events >
        • OneTooth
        • Yogini Yogathon
        • Absolute Comedy Fundraiser
    • Freedom Walk Ottawa
  • Law & Policy
    • PACT Documents
    • Legislation >
      • IRPA
      • CCC
      • Public Consultation on Prostitution-Related Offences in Canada
    • The Issue in Canada >
      • Canadian Live-in Caregiver Program
      • Organ Trafficking
    • Temporary Residence Permit
  • Projects
    • Organ Trafficking Roundtable
    • Project Northern Outreach
    • Project Protect
    • TruckSTOP >
      • TruckSTOP Resources
      • TruckSTOP Locations
      • TruckSTOP Media
      • Friends of TruckSTOP
    • THE WALK
  • imPACT
    • Info Material
  • Act!
    • Membership >
      • Members
      • Member Tools
      • Library
    • Volunteer >
      • Volunteer Positions
      • Tasks TO DO!
    • Volunteer Recognition
    • Work for PACT
  • Contact
  • français
  • EXIT

"Win a Wife" contest 'unfortunate, misguided':
Anti-trafficking Coalition

March 9, 2012
For immediate release:

Anti-human trafficking groups nation-wide are speaking out against a Halifax radio-station contest where the prize is a “mail order bride”.

Q104 FM’s contest is called “The Male Is In The Czech.” The winner will be flown to Prague to date “a bevy of beauties”. 

The anti-trafficking coalition includes groups from across the country.  In a joint statement they say: “The contest sends a message of inherent disregard for human dignity – it helps create the atmosphere in which human trafficking, exploitation and slavery can thrive.”

“The idea that a human being could be a "prize", that you can “win” one, takes us back two hundred years to an era we hoped we had closed in Canada,” says Christina Harrison Baird, Chair of PACT-Ottawa (Persons Against the Crime of Trafficking in Humans).

“People are not for sale, trade or auction, period,” says Jacqueline Linder of the Chrysalis Network.  “While it was likely meant in the spirit of fun, the message it sends undermines the work of law enforcement and many, many people across this country trying to create a better, safer world.”

The coalition says the idea that a person could be viewed as a “prize” or a “thing” is to completely strip them of their dignity and worth as a human; reducing them to just that – a thing, or an object.

It further states this is an opportunity for all Canadians to think twice about systems that exploit vulnerabilities, including online marriage companies or “mail-order brides.”

Law enforcement officials estimate approximately two thousand international victims are trafficked into and through Canada each year. Statistics for domestically trafficked victims are currently unknown.

 In addition to ongoing investigations, there were at least 46 human trafficking cases prosecuted by courts as of late February 2011. These cases involved 68 accused trafficking offenders and 80 victims.

These cases likely represent only a fraction of the actual number of human trafficking cases. Due to threats, violence or coercion, most trafficking victims are unable to come forward. In addition, these statistics do not include a growing number of domestic trafficking cases involving Canadian women and girls.

Trafficked persons require a range of support services, including healthcare and counseling, housing, income or employment support, legal aid and translation services. Most of these social services fall within provincial responsibility. While some provincial governments like Alberta and B.C. have established lead agencies for trafficked persons to access such services, others have yet to take such action.

For more information or interview requests contact:

Christina Harrison Baird – PACT, Ottawa

Phone:  613-282-2554
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

London Anti-Human Trafficking Committee

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Proudly powered by Weebly