Human trafficking survivors would get power to sue under Ontario legislation
TORONTO — Human trafficking survivors would be allowed to sue their traffickers under new legislation proposed in Ontario, where about two-thirds of all police-reported cases in Canada occur.
Introduced Wednesday, the Anti-Human Trafficking Act would establish a process for survivors and those at-risk to apply for human trafficking-specific restraining orders.
It would also allow survivors to take their traffickers to civil court, and proclaim Feb. 22 as Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
“Human trafficking exploits the most vulnerable people in our communities,” Status of Women Minister Indira Naidoo-Harris said in a statement. “It is a deplorable crime and we must do everything we can to protect and support survivors. This legislation helps survivors live without fear, and access the services they need to recover.”