Human trafficking awareness and education
Project Stage
About the Project
By supporting—and with support from— service providers and advocacy organizations, more awareness and training (including through Action 2.1.1) can help identify the signs of a person being trafficked, protect at-risk transportation users, and intervene early to prevent further harm.
Benefits
- Protects at-risk transportation users
- Improves collaboration
- Reduces reliance on unsafe modes of transportation
FROM THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Action 5.1.2: Work with industry to build more awareness around the role of the transportation system in mitigating the risk of human trafficking through training and educational campaigns and identify and prioritize design changes to facilities.
In 2023, Nova Scotia had the highest provincial average annual rates of police-reported human trafficking in Canada and has held a top spot since 2013. The rate in Halifax is the highest of any metropolitan area in Canada. Sector partners, Indigenous community representatives and community service providers shared the many ways in which the transportation system plays a role in exploitation and human trafficking in Nova Scotia, in both the facilitation of trafficking and the supporting of survivors. In areas where transportation options are limited, the risk of exploitation is higher, including along primary corridors linking rural communities to critical support services in HRM. By supporting—and with support from—service providers and advocacy organizations, more awareness and training (including through Action 2.1.1) can help identify the signs of a person being trafficked, protect at-risk transportation users, and intervene early to prevent further harm. Other service-oriented actions (under Action 5.1.5) can ensure safe, affordable transportation options exist when needed and reliance on unsafe modes of travel is reduced or eliminated.