(Above) MP Cheryl Gallant with volunteers at the launch of the TruckSTOP Campaign
Arnprior, Ontario – On April 20th, 2012, Cheryl Gallant, Member of Parliament for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, on behalf of the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the fight against human trafficking at an awareness campaign launch at the Arnprior Truck Stop.
“Our Government is committed to the global fight against human trafficking,” said MP Gallant. “We’re here today to continue to build partnerships that will help to address human trafficking. Together, we can and will help the victims of this terrible crime and make sure we punish the offenders.”
The campaign, called TruckSTOP, is organized by Persons Against the Crime of Trafficking in Humans Ottawa(PACT), aims to raise awareness and increase knowledge of human trafficking among members of the Canadian trucking industry and the general public.
The TruckSTOP Campaign was inspired by the success of a similar campaign in the United States run by Truckers Against Trafficking. A truck driver noticed suspicious activity at a truck stop and called 911. His tip led to the rescue of 2 underage girls who had been kidnapped and forced into the sex trade, as well as 7 other individuals. 31 traffickers were arrested and convicted, and a trafficking ring that had operated across 13 states was shut down. One tip made a huge impact in combating human trafficking.
PACT-Ottawa is an organization whose mission is to prevent the trafficking of persons and increase the protection of trafficking victims.