The RCMP and SPVM Launch a Campaign against Sexual Exploitation

06 june 2016

Montréal, June 6, 2016 – Until June 12, officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) will lead a sexual exploitation awareness campaign among local residents, visitors and foreign travellers.

Police and law enforcement partners’ presence will also be increased at various strategic locations in the Greater Montréal area in an effort to curb this criminal activity.

Thwarting Demand

High profile and internationally renowned events draw visitors to Montréal in large numbers and increase the demand for sexual services. Upcoming celebrations will bring visitors from across Canada and everywhere in the world. Authorities would like to take the opportunity to remind the public that the purchase of sexual services is a crime at any time. People who purchase sexual services should know that most of the women who engage in prostitution are under the control of pimps. By purchasing sexual services, they contribute to financing sexual exploitation networks.

This initiative is conducted in partnership with:

• Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
• United States Attorney’s Office / Department of Justice (USAO)
• Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
• Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
• United States Border Patrol (USBP)
• Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Media Availability

All media interested in covering this project are invited to meet our spokespersons. Media representatives will have the opportunity to see the work performed by the police in the field of sexual exploitation awareness and prevention. For details, please contact the RCMP Communications Office.

Fighting Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation

The members of the RCMP Border Integrity Program investigate, gather intelligence on and disrupt the human trafficking activities of international criminal organizations. They bring offenders to justice and get the victims free from these organizations.

The SPVM has the mandate to fight all forms of sexual exploitation within its jurisdiction. The SPVM intervenes in various ways, including prevention, investigation and operations. To this effect, a dedicated sexual exploitation investigative unit and project Les Survivantes (The Survivors) were created.

Project Les Survivantes (The Survivors)

Project Les Survivantes (The Survivors) is designed to help victims and to raise awareness among police and social workers, helping them identify persons at risk. To learn more about thi project, please visit Les survivantes. 

Appeal to the Public

If you have information on sexual exploitation or human trafficking, call the RCMP at 1-800 771-5401 or the SPVM through Info-Crime Montréal at 514-393-1133. All information will be kept anonymous and confidential. Call 911 if a crime is in progress.

Who may be a victim of sexual exploitation? Visit the Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre to learn how to identify victims of exploitation.

Follow our awareness campaign on social media: #DoNotBeAnAccomplice.

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For information:

Communications Office
514-939-8308