Human Trafficking in B.C.

Human trafficking is a global issue and Canada is not immune to it. Canada has been identified as both a transit and a destination point for human trafficking.

Canada is also a source of trafficked persons and has experienced cases of domestic trafficking within its borders. Due to the hidden nature of the crime, most human trafficking activities are undetected or unreported.

Human trafficking is a serious violation of human rights through the exploitation of vulnerable people for profit. Traffickers buy and sell persons as commodities, control their movement and actions, and force them into providing labour or services.

The Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons (OCTIP) develops and coordinates British Columbia’s strategy to combat human trafficking. OCTIP places the rights of trafficked persons at the centre of its work.

In collaboration with other provincial ministries, federal departments, municipal governments, law enforcement agencies and community organizations, OCTIP aims to prevent human trafficking and coordinate services for trafficked persons in British Columbia. 

Immediate Support for Trafficked Persons

If you suspect someone is being trafficked and is in immediate danger, please call 911 or your local police detachment. You can also contact Crime Stoppers to report anonymously.

If you prefer not to engage with police, you can contact the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010. The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline is a confidential, multilingual service, operating 24/7 that receives tips from the public about human trafficking incidents. This service can connect victims and survivors with social services, law enforcement, and emergency services. You can learn more here: https://www.canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca/

You can also connect with VictimLink BC, a toll-free multilingual, confidential service available 24-hours a day, seven days a week. You can call or text the service at 1-800-563-0808 or email at VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca. This service provides information and referrals to all victims of crime and immediate crisis support to victims of family and sexual violence, including victims of human trafficking. VictimLink BC staff can also connect you to a network of community, social, health, justice and other resources, including victim services and counselling resources.

For a directory of victim service and violence against women programs available in communities across BC, please visit: Victim Services & Violence Against Women Program Directory.