While many assume human trafficking is something that only happens in larger cities like Toronto, the data shows it’s not just a big city problem.

According to Statistics Canada, Guelph, along with Thunder Bay, had the highest rate of police-reported human trafficking cases in Ontario in 2024.

“We all have to acknowledge this is a very real issue in all of our communities,” said Guelph Police Chief Gordon Cobey.

In 2024, Guelph police recorded 11 incidents per 100,000 people, while the national average for cities across the country was just 1.6 incidents.

Cobey says the numbers reflect not only the reality of trafficking in the city but also the fact that Guelph has been investing more resources to uncover and respond to these cases.

He points back to November 2023 when Guelph city council unanimously declared intimate partner violence an epidemic. Since then, police have conducted extensive community consultations and significantly increased training and resources.

“We now have an integrated unit that represents almost four times more resources doing that work,” he said. “I think that number that’s being reported is a much more accurate measure of the magnitude that the issue is.”

This Sunday is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, a time to raise public awareness and honour survivors.

Cindy McMann, a community educator with Guelph Wellington Women in Crisis, says awareness about the issue is growing, but misconceptions about what it actually looks like in real life persist.

“A myth that I’m still running across is that somebody must be thrown into the back of an unmarked white van and then chained up into a shipping container,” she said.

Trafficking often takes subtle forms

Det. Staff Sgt. Melanie Clark, who oversees the Human Trafficking Unit for Guelph police, explained that trafficking can take many forms in a mid-sized city like Guelph.

“A lot of times it does start with the online recruitment and then moves into person-on-person, but we don’t take away the fact that there is some level of organized crime,” she said.

Clark stresses that trafficking isn’t always dramatic or visible. Subtle signs can be just as important to notice.

Clark says red flags may include a person suddenly receiving expensive items, being secretive about a relationship, isolating themselves from friends and family, having unexplained absences, or showing signs of fear or anxiety.

“That may not necessarily mean they’re being human trafficked. But it could open up communications to kind of dive a little deeper into why these changes are happening,” she said.

McMann added that traffickers often “love bomb” their victims, showering them with attention, gifts, or access to a lifestyle they might not normally afford. She said even small changes in behavior, mental health, or school performance are worth paying attention to.

“Even if it isn’t a trafficking situation, it’s always good to check in to make sure everything’s OK,” McMann said.

When it comes to prevention, Cobey highlighted partnerships with local organizations such as Women in Crisis Victim Services and the Wellington Catholic District School Board. Officers recently spoke with nearly 900 teachers and staff across the Wellington Catholic District School Board to educate them on human trafficking and online exploitation.

“We want to support our community,” Cobey said.

Challenges for survivors

McMann says survivors face many barriers when trying to leave a trafficking situation, including limited access to health care and employment, as well as a lack of affordable housing.

“A big reason people stay in trafficking situations is because they know where they’re sleeping at night and have a roof over their head, even if it’s not safe,” she said.

She added that survivors are the experts on their own experiences, and that when trying to help someone leave a trafficking situation, the focus should be on support. It should not be an attempt to “rescue” them against their will. Pushing too hard can undermine their sense of control and discourage them from seeking help, McMann said.

“People get out of trafficking on their own all the time or they get out with support, but they’re they are the ones who are doing that work,” she said.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, there are many ways to get help. In an emergency, call 911. There is also a Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010 or text 233733. Reach out locally to organizations such as Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis, Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region or YWCA Kitchener Waterloo for confidential support.

“The more we can stay connected, then the better we can care for each other. So if someone feels like something is kind of off, you can you can always reach out for support,” McMann said.