Interesting new initiative in trendy area..
Feb 20 2020
New ad campaign on Queen Street shines spotlight on sex trafficking in Canada
A storefront along a popular stretch of Queen Street is hosting a unique new advertising campaign aimed at raising awareness about a topic advocates say does not receive enough attention— the dangers of sex trafficking in Canada.
Covenant House, a Toronto-based agency that provides services to at-risk youth, is behind the ‘Shoppable Girls’ campaign, which features live models on display in a storefront on the street, which is known to be a hotspot for Toronto shoppers.
The girls are advertised as “The Amara,” “The Michaela,” “The Samantha,” “The Ellie,” and “The Maya,” and a large sign with bold lettering appears alongside the models.
“To sex traffickers, girls are just products. Unsuspecting girls are being lured into the sex industry and forced to sell their bodies for someone else’s profit. It’s called sex trafficking, and it’s happening here at home,” the signs reads.''
''Text at the bottom of the sign directs people to the campaign’s website,
shoppablegirls.com, to learn about the warning signs.
On the campaign’s website, Covenant House highlights a number of notable facts about sex trafficking, including the statistic that 90 per cent of victims are females.
Covenant House says victims are as young as 13 years old when they are first recruited and sex trafficking victims are found at malls, parties, bus stations, and online.
The campaign also points out common myths associated with sex trafficking, including the belief that traffickers are typically strangers and that only lower income youth become victims.''
''According to Toronto police, sex trafficking in Canada is a billion-dollar industry and can be more lucrative than the smuggling of drugs or illegal firearms.''
rbbm.