Human sex trafficking claiming North Bay girls as young as 13

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It’s a dangerous game.

Human sex trafficking is the fastest-growing crime in Canada, and North Bay women are being enticed to give it a try.

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Human sex trafficking claiming North Bay girls as young as 13 Back to video

Girls as young as 13 are being promised cash, pampering in hair and nail salons, as well as health and dental care, but it all comes at a cost – a steep one.

Last year, Victim Crisis and Assistance Referral Service helped 12 women. All had different stories, many horrific.

“Women forced to service their customers 10 times a day. Women are being threatened, beaten, brainwashed and housed in horrible conditions. They’re poorly fed and drugged,” said Carolyn Couchie, executive director of Victim Crisis and Assistance Referral Service.

One woman who confided in Couchie said she was housed in a basement with no windows for 10 days, only given water to drink, yet forced to perform for her male clients.

“Sure they’re treated well in the beginning, but they’re broken over a period of time. These pimps take away the women’s cellphones and their identification, and they’re isolated,” Couchie said.

“Many of the girls who I’ve talked to have no idea where they are, some don’t even know where North Bay is. Local girls are put on the circuit from Windsor to Quebec and another circuit that extends up to Timmins and Cochrane.”

Couchie said the girls are seen as a lucrative commodity, earning on average $280,000 annually for their handlers.

“Why sell a bag of weed or cocaine one time when you can sell a girl a number of times?”

Couchie and North Bay Police officer Sue Solman offered a glimpse into the world of human sex trafficking during the second of six Civilian Police Academy sessions at North Bay Police headquarters.

They shared stories of women who defied the odds and left the game while others are too scared to report their perpetrators to police.

Some of the stories came from police officers who infiltrated the game, reaching women who otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to get help.

Undercover police officers go through online advertisements identifying girls who are being controlled.

Programs like Northern Spotlight perform what is known as knock and talks. Undercover police officers set up a date with a sex worker, and once they gain entry they explain to the woman her rights and ask if she needs help.

Following the chat, the women are given a tote bag with necessities like shampoo, pyjamas, safe sex products and underwear.

Couchie shed some light on the local situation.

She said opiates and cocaine are “rampant” in North Bay, and violent assaults and overdoes where police or emergency services are not called often occur.

“Non-local offenders are moving in and local girls are provided their drug of choice for sex work.”

Gangs like North Preston’s Finest, an East Coast gang which forces young girls and women to work in the sex trade, have infiltrated this area.

Couchie said women she’s spoken with are tagged or tattooed with slogan’s like “daddy’s girl” or “daddy’s money-maker,” which show ownership and control.

“Our goal is to build trusting relationships where they’ve had no trust,” Couchie said.

Solman said police have had contact with numerous girls, but they’re not willing to tell their story.

Organizations aiming to help the girls have their own challenges, such as wait lists for safe shelters and housing.

“We have to offer better than what their pimp is offering,” Couchie said.