**** RCMP Media Release
Trigger warning: human trafficking. ????
Below is an example of the types of calls received on the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Hotline. It’s important to know the signs of human trafficking and understand that it can affect anyone – no matter race, age or gender.
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My daughter met a person and they started off talking online as friends. The person started asking lots of questions about her, giving her lots of compliments and offering to buy her gifts and jobs to help make her life better. The person was also telling her how beautiful she was and that it was a shame no one else sees her the same way they do. They started hanging out in person and now she isn’t home as often. When she is home, she seems to always be on her phone. If she’s asked to do something, she has to check with them or has to answer them before she can do anything else.
She started dressing different and isn’t hanging out with her normal group of friends. She seems to have high-end stuff that we haven’t bought for her and she doesn’t have a job to pay for it herself.
Initially she said the person was around the same age as her, but now we found out there is a bigger age difference and they seem really focused on her and spending time with her. She started making comments like, “Well, I have to go see them because they understand me and bought me the things I needed”. Her friends said they are worried too because she isn’t posting as much on social media and is planning to go on a trip to a big city with this person that she just met. She hasn’t told us about this trip and I’m not sure how to bring it up to her. Part of me wants to just confront her about the dangers and red flags I’m seeing. What should I do?
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If you or someone you know might be a victim of human trafficking, there is help:
• call the confidential, 24/7 Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Hotline at 902-449-2425, the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010 or submit an anonymous online tip;
• contact your local RCMP detachment or municipal police service; or
• call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-TIPS or submit an anonymous online tip to Crime Stoppers
