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WHO WE ARE

The Salvation Army is the largest non-governmental provider of social services in Canada and has worked with sexually exploited and trafficked individuals for more than 130 years. The Salvation Army is committed to fighting sexual exploitation and has championed awareness across the country opening Deborah’s Gate, one of the first Canadian safe houses for human sexual trafficking survivors, in 2009.

Deborah’s Gate is a specialized program of care that exists to serve international and domestic women who have been trafficked into situations of sexual exploitation and who are in need of protective and restorative housing and healing.

MISSION STATEMENT

Deborah’s Gate seeks to provide a safe and restorative environment that fosters a holistic approach to healing for female survivors of sexual human trafficking.

It was really hard to trust anyone after what I experienced in Alberta. I felt hopeless and afraid and I would shake uncontrollably whenever I was reminded of my trafficker. At Deborah’s Gate, I was given the physical, emotional and spiritual support that I needed to be able to overcome my trauma; the staff helped me get my life back together so that I could enjoy it to the fullest. I now have a good job, a great roommate and a wonderful place to live in the community. I know that Deborah’s Gate played a huge part in my success and I will always be grateful for that.” (Ana)

PURPOSE

Safety – Our confidential location and 24-hour staffing provides maximum security for women fleeing violent and exploitative perpetrators.

Hope – We strive to create an environment where women are able to find long-term freedom from fear and trauma and hope for their future.

An image drawn by a former resident to represent the hope she found at Deborah’s Gate.

Restoration – A holistic approach to healing is offered through community resources well-equipped to provide confidential and culturally sensitive social services. A focus on physical, emotional and spiritual healing provides these women with the tools they will need to effectively heal from their trauma.

SEXUAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING DEFINED

Human trafficking is the illegal trade in human beings for the purpose of exploitation.

The United Nations’ Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (The Palermo Protocol) defines human trafficking as:

“the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purposes of exploitation.”

IDENTIFYING FACTORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

The circumstances in a situation of exploitation generally vary from case to case; however, a number of significant underlying similarities in each case can be used to identify potentially exploited individuals.

An individual may be exploited if she demonstrates lack of control over:

  • her personal schedule and basic interactions with the public especially if someone consistently speaks on her behalf when questioned
  • her ability to move from one place to another and appears to be supervised at all times
  • her identification documents i.e. driver’s license, government ID, passport, working permits
  • her finances and her ability to purchase basic necessities

It is important to note that this is not a comprehensive list of identifying factors of human trafficking. Furthermore, identifying factors may not all occur simultaneously; one victim might experience exploitation very differently than another. Regardless, if you should come aware of any of the above mentioned factors, there is cause for alarm and further investigation should be prompted.

Additional information: UN Publication: Human Trafficking Indicators

SEXUAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN CANADA

Victims of sexual exploitation are found in:

  • Prostitution
  • Pornography
  • Exotic dancing/strip club dancing
  • Massage parlors
  • Escort services
  • Modeling studios
  • Adult stores (video, books and other materials)

Sex trafficking operations exist in highly-visible venues, such as street prostitution or strip clubs, as well as hidden systems such as closed brothels or child sex “tourism” operating out of residential homes. Often, victims begin by dancing or stripping in clubs and are coerced into more exploitative situations of prostitution and pornography.