IBCR INITIATIVES
The question of child trafficking has been receiving more attention in Canada for the past few years, but remains a phenomenon which is not well documented. In order to compensate for this lack of information, IBCR published a preliminary study in March 2004 on behalf of the Department of Justice of Canada. This study allowed to highlight obstacles that professionals face in regards to trafficked children: difficulties identifying these children, ignoring their rights, inadequate treatment. In November, 2005, new provisions within the Criminal Code of Canada related to trafficking were adopted in order to facilitate the prosecution of traffickers. However, there remains to be a lot to do, particularly related to levels of victim protection, especially for children.
The IBCR's agenda for 2005-2010 in regards to the fight against sexual exploitation and child trafficking starts with an vigorous research project entitled Strategic action plan for the protection of victims of child trafficking in Quebec.
• This project is spread out over a period of two years and is partially financed by Public Safety and Emergency Preparedeness Canada (Québec division) within the section of National Crime Prevention Strategy.
This initially consists of a detailed study of the phenomenon in Canada and particularly in Quebec. IBCR will then propose an action plan in order to best respond to this phenomenon.
The research paper entitled Strategic Action Plan for the Protection of Victims of Child Trafficking in Quebec-Part 1 was published in February 2007.
The summary of the report is also available.
In May 2007, IBCR released the Recommendations drawn from this report.
OBJECTIVES
This project has three general objectives :
• assure better protection of the rights of victims of child trafficking,
• prevent child trafficking,
• contribute to the reduction of crime by supporting a better comprehension of the child trafficking problem.
ACTIVITIES AND TIMELINE
In 2005-2006 , the study provided the basis for the development of an action plan to fight child trafficking and protect such victims.
The research phase, which will be completed during 2006-2007, consists of interviews with organizations from Quebec which have direct or indirect experience with trafficking victims. These organizations provide a variety of services, including adoption, live-in caregivers, advocacy for human rights, women in crisis, child protection, immigrants and refugees.
The second phase consists of the development and application of an action plan. Based on the results of the first part, recommendations will be formulated during Spring 2007 in order to develop and put in place this action plan that will respond to the needs identified during the first part of the study.
PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS
Within the framework of this project, members of the Advisory Committee, with whom the IBCR collaborates are:
• Public Safety and Emergency Preparedeness Canada
• Canada Border Services Agency
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada
• Ministère de l'Immigration et des Communautés culturelles du Québec
• Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (Québec)
• Ministère de la Sécurité publique du (Québec)
• The Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• Sûreté du Québec
• Montréal Police Service
• The International Centre for the Prevention of Crime
• The Native Women's Association of Canada
• Association des centres jeunesse du Québec
• Centres jeunesse de Montréal-Institut universitaire
• Programme régional d'accueil et d'intégration des demandeurs d'asile
• Ministère de la Justice du Québec
• Separated Children's Intervention & Orientation Network
• One youth representative
For further information on this project, do not hesitate to contact Catherine Gauvreau, Program Manager.
