Poster campaign looks to tackle human trafficking in Sask.

People across Saskatchewan will soon start seeing posters meant to let them know that human trafficking does happen here, and offering help to those who need it.

The campaign consists of three different posters, they read: “The life wasn’t your choice”, “We see you; we believe you” and “It started with attention, now it’s control”.

The campaign is being funded and pushed out by the provincial government. Laura Ross, Minister in charge of the Status of Women Office, said the posters will be going in libraries, gas stations, restaurants and bars. They will also be put in 500 bathrooms at Country Thunder this year. 

 “We’re spreading the net wide to be able to capture as many people’s eyes on these posters as possible,” said Ross. 

 She said the posters all have a similar message, but approach things a little differently because not every case was the same. 

 “Every one of them conveys a strong message and they are approachable, but they’re not judgmental. And that’s what we have to make sure people understand, is we’re not doing ‘shame, shame on you for this lifestyle’ in fact, we’re here to help and lift you up and provide the services that you need,” explained the minister. 

 Ross described being on a road trip in Arizona and going into a truck stop.

 “(I) went into the washroom and there was a poster on human trafficking, and it just struck me – we need to do this and we need to this here and we need to it now,” she said. 

 The communications company who worked on the campaign went to police and community-based organizations to find out what the awareness campaign needed to look like. 

 Lisa Miller, with the Regina Sexual Assault Centre, said the campaign was thoughtfully put together and it was important the language resonates with people. 

 She said campaigns like this are desperately needed in Saskatchewan because people don’t realize how prevalent the problem is.

 “I am in contact with someone in another province who was a trafficked individual who said there needs to be more focus in Saskatchewan because, particularly Regina, it is a money town and there are people that are being moved through this city constantly, we just don’t see it, it’s hidden,” she said. 

 “Many of these individuals are exploited individuals who are being moved between cities. There’s a clear corridor between different cities in the country, and they go to hotels and they wait for men that answer ads.”

 Miller said experiences are happening every day in Saskatchewan, but there are things similar between all of them – the manipulation, threats and shame that make it so difficult for victims to reach out. The greed and demand that fuels the abuse, and the exploitation of victims’ vulnerabilities. 

 “Traffickers are exceptionally skilled at seeking out and manipulating people who are looking for the most basic human needs. Which are attachment, affection, belonging and security,” explained Miller.

She said the campaign seeks to address these vulnerabilities.

 Each of the posters includes directions to call 211 for help and support, and it’s administered by the United Way. Kristin Nelson is the director of United Way Regina. 

 Nelson said it’s confidential and free, with a database of more than 6,000 programs and supports to connect people to. 

 Last year, they had over 230,000 unique visits to their website from people in the province looking for support. This doesn’t include the calls and texts they also received. Nelson said she would anticipate more to come from this campaign. 

 “Whether that’s folks reaching out and they’re saying, in a very immediate way, I think I might be impacted by this. Or if they’re just thinking ‘maybe I need to explore some supports in other areas.’ Anytime there’s more visibility it means more people know where they can reach out for support, which is always a good thing,” said Nelson.