#NotInMyCity, an organization raising awareness and taking action to combat human trafficking, announced on 22FEB, National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, that it is partnering with a number of Canadian airports to take action for the cause.
The organization has been working with airports to provide human trafficking awareness materials and access to a customized e-learning course to help airport staff identify the risk factors of those being trafficked and moved through airports across Canada. The course is designed to leverage North American best practices, helping airport employees identify individuals who may be victims of trafficking, and taking action with a "do no harm" approach.
"Creating broad awareness and educational opportunities lead to positive change," says Natalie Muyres, Program Manager at #NotInMyCity. "We want awareness of human trafficking risk factors to become second nature to airport staff. By working with their safety teams, embedding human trafficking education into their culture and providing skills and confidence, teams will know what to do if they see something that doesn't seem right. It could very well save lives."
Examples of how airports are working to disrupt human trafficking can be found below.
- YMM has implemented the #NotInMyCity educational course into its onboarding process, shared information and training materials with its terminal partners and have placed #NotInMyCity human trafficking awareness materials on digital screens, posters and in washrooms throughout the terminal. Every employee who has completed the e-learning wears a yellow pin and has a lanyard card with the operations phone number and risk factors to watch.
- YYC initially launched awareness campaigns with #NotInMyCity in 2018. In 2021, the airport launched the #NotInMyCity e-learning course to more than 50 employees, and has future campaigns in the works using #NotInMyCity human trafficking awareness materials.
- YYZ recently launched its awareness campaign on 18FEB, with a kick-off awareness event and presentation for employees and terminal partners, which will be followed by an external campaign within its terminals using #NotInMyCity human trafficking awareness materials.
- At YLW, effective 01JAN 2022, the #NotInMyCity e-learning program became part of the onboarding process for all new airport employees. #NotInMyCity human trafficking awareness materials will be launching in the terminal in the coming months.
- YOW kick started an awareness presentation in conjunction with #NotInMyCity on 17FEB as part of its monthly security tabletop meeting. The airport provided security and other Airport Authority personnel with an overview of the e-learning program which it are rolling out to the rest of its team effective 22FEB.
- YXU is now promoting the #NotInMyCity e-learning course to its employees and are in the process of launching an awareness program leveraging the #NotInMyCity human trafficking awareness materials.
- YEG has launched a number of awareness programs in collaboration with a number of agencies, according to a press release.
Additional airports who have initiated partnerships with #NotInMyCity to deliver the e-learning course and posting #NotInMyCity human trafficking awareness materials broadly include YHZ and YVR.
In DEC 2021, #NotInMyCity launched a partnership with Flair Airlines, which included the launch of the #NotInMyCity e-learning program for all employees, drawn on international aviation best practices. Flair currently employs more than 500 people.
According to the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking, transportation corridors are frequently used by traffickers, and once a victim has been recruited, traffickers will often move them from city to city to maximize profits, access new markets and avoid competition. Victims of labour trafficking may also enter Canada by way of air travel, under the false promise of a job or educational opportunity.
National Human Trafficking Day also brings attention to Canada's "fastest growing crime and second largest source of illegal income worldwide," according to #NotInMyCity. In Canada, 21 per cent of trafficking victims are under the age of 18. Despite Canada's Indigenous population accounting for just 4 per cent of the country, it is estimated that 50 per cent of all Canadian trafficking victims are Indigenous.
For the general public, #NotInMyCity offers a free interactive e-learning course for anyone interested in learning more about the issue of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Canada. Upon completion of the free 30-minute e-course, participants are awarded with a certificate.
For more information on #NotInMyCity, visit its web site.
