Canadian Government & Crime Stoppers fight Human Trafficking

I got a call just after 4:00 p.m. today from a reporter with CIFM-FM98 / CFJC Newsroom here in Kamloops about a press release that they had just received (Link: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Public-Safety-Canada-938350.html) and he wanted to ask me what I thought of it. This was the first I had heard of it and I was very happy to see that Canada was finally starting to take human trafficking seriously.

What it is about is exactly what the heading says - the Canadian Government is teaming up with Crime Stoppers to increase public awareness of human trafficking. It is not everything, but it certainly is SOMETHING. I think that the crime of human trafficking is finally being taken seriously, it is no longer that latest CSI episode or something that happens in 3rd world countries.

It happens right here in li'l ol' Kamloops (Link: http://www.britishcolumbia.com/regions/towns/?townID=3412), BC Canada (population: 84,064). Who would have thunk it??

Now when I tell people that I believe my daughter is a victim of human trafficking their response is more likely to be, "I just saw a show on Dateline/Oprah/the News about human trafficking - it is sure happening a lot and everywhere" (Answer to that is: it has been going on for years...for decades, it is only just now coming into the news for the public to be aware of. Finally, thankfully!!)
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Government of Canada Partners With Crime Stoppers to Increase Public Awareness of Human Trafficking
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Jan. 15, 2009) - The Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety, today announced a partnership between the Department of Public Safety, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Crime Stoppers Association to better inform the public about human trafficking through a national awareness campaign.

This campaign will serve to inform the public of the potential danger of human trafficking, help the public identify suspected occurrences, and provide information on how to report suspected cases. Through this partnership, the Canadian Crime Stoppers Association will use its national tipline as a central point for the public to report suspected cases of human trafficking.

"The Government of Canada is committed to combating human trafficking, both at home and abroad," said Minister Van Loan. "Our commitment is reflected in Canada's progress on a number of recent initiatives, including this partnership with Canadian Crime Stoppers, an organization that has proven itself as a valuable crime-fighting tool."

"The Canadian Crime Stoppers is proud to have been chosen to partner with Public Safety Canada and the RCMP in the fight against human trafficking," said Ralph Page, Canadian Crime Stoppers Chair. "Crime Stoppers programs across Canada are committed to supplying information to the public about human trafficking and providing a service that allows people to anonymously report this crime in their community."

"The RCMP takes the issue of human trafficking very seriously. This modern-day form of slavery tends to be clandestine in nature, so it can be difficult for law enforcement to identify both the victims and traffickers," said RCMP Supt. Bill Ard, Officer in Charge, Border Integrity Program. "This new partnership with Crime Stoppers will allow the public to provide critical assistance to law enforcement by providing the means for anonymous reporting of suspected human trafficking activities."

The Government of Canada recognizes that prevention and awareness are critical in combating human trafficking. As part of its overall strategy around trafficking, this Government continues to lead, support and implement numerous initiatives, domestically and abroad. Canada's efforts to combat human trafficking are guided by the internationally recognized framework known as the 4P's: preventing trafficking, protecting victims, prosecuting offenders and building partnerships domestically and internationally.

To learn more about the Government's efforts to combat human trafficking, visit http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fs-sv/tp/links-liens.html.

For more information, please contact: Public Safety Canada, Media Relations: 613-991-0657
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THIS IS THE MESSAGE I SENT TO THEM:
Have you heard of my daughter JESSIE FOSTER? She is from Canada and went missing in the USA on March 29, 2006. Can you help me? My phone number here in Kamloops, BC is 250-374-6137.
Glendene Grant
www.jessiefoster.ca  
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PERSONAL NOTE I WANT TO INCLUDE: I was just told by the reporter who called me, and trust me, it made me feel extremely proud that I have done what I have for my girl. He said that in his opinion it was Jessie's case that has prompted the Canadian Government to get involved in the crime of human trafficking and he said that it was because of me that Jessie's case did that. I was honoured, literally honoured that Jessie's story has not gone unnoticed. And like I said, I am proud of the long hours and hard work that I have put into my daughter's international endangered missing / human trafficking case.

WE WILL FIND JESSIE AND BRING HER HOME.