Chelsea’s Series 2021 – Human Sex Trafficking and Online Sexual Exploitation in Waterloo Region

Chelsea’s Series

This is a series of 8 events stretched over a week starting on Feb 22, 2021, in recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

All events will be virtual and free. Registration will be limited. 

More information: 

Girls as young as 12 are deceived or tricked into online sexual exploitation and/or sex trafficking in Waterloo Region. Last year Waterloo Region Police investigated  75 cases of human sex trafficking, an increase since 2017. Most cases are never reported to the police.  Awareness of the problem is the first step towards action.

Check out

RAP Sheet on Human Sex Trafficking

 

Chelsea’s Story followed by a facilitated Talk-Back

The play, Chelsea’s Story, is based on a true story. It centres on a group of three students who discover the diary of a 15-year-old girl named Chelsea, who is targeted to be groomed and trafficked for sex by a man posing as her boyfriend. Chelsea’s Story was written by Sean McGrath from Alter Ego Creative Solutions for people as young as 12 to understand what trafficking is about and the ways in which those who are vulnerable, particularly girls and young women tend to be targeted and groomed. Integral to the performance is a talkback facilitated by our local Sexual Assault Support Centre building understanding about sexual exploitation and grooming, how to recognize it and what to do if you do.  The production is of particular interest to three different groups:

• Young people (aged 12+)
• Parents, carers, teachers & professionals working with children & young people
• Law enforcement

The play has been seen by over 10, 000 young people & thousands of professionals in the UK, and over 1000 here in Waterloo Region and has proven highly effective at covering:

• What makes a Healthy Relationship
• What makes an Unhealthy Relationship
• Safe Internet Use/Sexting
• Recognizing exploitation and understanding grooming
• Avoiding Victim Blaming
• Where to go for help & advice

For adult audiences it also:

• Raises awareness of the warning signs of exploitation
• Raises awareness of the journey that young people may have been on that has resulted in them being exploited – a journey that can all too easily make it seem as though they have ‘made their own choices’ and can leave them not seeing themselves as victims and fighting against any intervention.

This play is written as a tool for them to understand and recognize exploitation, what to do if they see it and how to keep themselves and their friends safe. We had the opportunity to show it to 450 grade 7 and 8 students last year and they were really engaged both with the play and in the after performance talk back. Feedback for the teachers and parents at other shows was also very positive.

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Honey Bee

is a Canadian film that shines a light on young girls lured into and trying to escape human trafficking rings in Northern Ontario. It is directed by award-winning documentary director-turned-narrative filmmaker Rama Rau and stars TIFF 2014 Rising Star Julia Sarah Stone, Emmy-winner Martha Plimpton, Peter Outerbridge, Steven Love, Connor Price, Michelle McLeod and Sofia Banzhaf.

Warning: This film contains offensive language and scenes depicting sexual violence. It may trigger some viewers and be inappropriate for young children.

#knowthesigns | #EndHumanTrafficking | #ChelseasStory | #HoneyBee

Email Julie if you have any questions

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Event Series Partners and Supporters

Events are supported by the Sexual Assault Support Centre Waterloo Region, the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council, MT Space,  The KPL, The Princess Theatre, The KW Community Foundation Community Fund and Weiland Family Foundation, and Kindred Credit Union

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Why is Awareness important in Waterloo Region?

Last year SASC, the Registry Theatre Company, and The Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council engaged with other community partners to launch a series of initiatives to raise awareness of HST in the Waterloo Region.  Since then, there has been a marked increase in 12 and 13-year-old children seeking services for human sex trafficking in our region. Our local Anti-Sex Trafficking Coordinator feels that awareness raised especially by the play Chelsea’s Story and supporting activities have helped victims access these services sooner.

The Waterloo Regional Police Services reports that in the first 8 months of 2019 they opened 75 investigations of sex trafficking in this region. This is up from 26 cases in 2017. We know that most sex trafficking cases are never reported to police and so the issue is significantly more prevalent than we can see. With the average age of victims being between 12 and 15, we feel that it is essential that we equip children and caring adults with an understanding of exploitation, how to recognize it, how to stay safe and what to do if it happens. The Play Chelsea’s story had been written expressly for these audiences.

Ontario has the highest level of human sex trafficking in Canada, with an estimated 70% of all human trafficking activities taking place in this province (Stats Can 2016). Waterloo region has become attractive to trafficking because of the ease by which sex traffickers can transport victims over the 400 series of highways. Human sex trafficking is hard to track and is largely going undetected and under-reported.

Human sex trafficking is the sale of humans for sex. It involves deceit, force, coercion and control of a person by threats of emotional, mental and sometimes physical violence for sexual exploitation and forced commercial sex. This includes forced prostitution and sexual performance including exotic dancing and the production of pornography.

Human sex trafficking is not sex work which is a consensual transaction between adults. Human sex trafficking is not the same as human smuggling which is the illegal service of bringing people into the country unlawfully.