Modern day slavery and the sex industry: raising the voices of survivors and collaborators while confronting sex trafficking and exploitation in Manitoba, Canada

Sexual exploitation and human sex trafficking are a multi-billion-dollar international industry in which many Canadian women and children are trafficked and exploited, hurt and sometimes murdered by predators. Previous studies have often overlooked significant voices including police, political leaders and prosecutors who also work to protect sex industry survivors. This research widens the net and includes interviews with 61 experts across Manitoba, including police, First Nations and other political leaders, government and non-government service providers and sex trafficking survivors, who collectively represent over 1,000 years of experience combatting victimization in the sex industry. Through a grounded approach, this study gathers the stories and experiences of survivors, relevant practitioners and community leaders in Manitoba, and contributes to theory and practice around reducing sex trafficking and exploitation. The findings include the following: (1) Early risk factors for youth may be identified and addressed to reduce vulnerability to being trafficked and exploited; (2) More flexible ongoing supports can empower sex industry survivors and assist them to escape sex slavery; (3) Greater coordination and collaboration are needed between the broad spectrum of enforcement and support agencies; (4) New resources, such as more and better equipped safe houses and local and regional coordination hubs can provide a safety net for people who are being exploited in the sex industry; (5) Increased counter-exploitation education can potentially improve youth resilience and affect the public discourse around the issue. Modern Day Slavery and the Sex Industry iii Acknowledgements If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants (Isaac Newton, 1676) I am grateful to the many participants who agreed to take the time to be interviewed for this research. Sexual exploitation and human trafficking are not easy matters to discuss, particularly for survivors and practitioners who are survivors, many of whom have dedicated their lives to helping others to escape exploitation and abuse. I thank these people for opening their hearts and exposing their compelling stories for the greater good of preventing others from being exploited and assisting others to escape the sex industry. I appreciate the generous guidance given to me by my committee, Dr. Sean Byrne, Dr. Jessica Senehi and Dr. Rick Linden, and my external reviewer, Dr. Laura Huey of University of Western Ontario. In particular, I thank my advisor, Dr. Sean Byrne, who has been a great role model, mentor, teacher and source of inspiration and guidance through this educational journey. My fellow students have also been an endless source of support and encouragement. I miss our lively seminar discussions. I also acknowledge the administrative support of the University of Manitoba Faculty of Graduate Studies, the University of Manitoba Graduate Students Association, the Winnipeg Police Service and the Manitoba Department of Justice. Thank you to Ali Millar, Amanda Kerr, Chelsea, Brandi, Crystal and Barb Chrismas for your help with the daunting task of transcribing interviews and editing. Also, thank you to Michele Lemonius, Sandra Hodzic, and Maureen Musgrove for your feedback on this thesis. I also acknowledge the influence that the discipline of Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) has had on my work. As a police officer, and throughout my doctoral studies, I have come to appreciate PACS for its focus on social justice, human rights and peace building, which is consistent with the focus of my adult life’s work, striving to contribute to community safety and reduced victimization. The transdisciplinary nature of the PACS field allows students to draw in their strengths and be their best. The Arthur V. Mauro Center for Peace and Justice trains over 84 PhD and Masters students from about 30 different countries at any time, and many who are from war zones and areas of protracted ethno political conflict. They bring many rich lessons from their diverse origins. Studying in this environment has allowed me to flourish as a student and it inspired this thesis. Modern Day Slavery and the Sex Industry iv