According to an article from AP News, Canadian police have arrested five members of an alleged criminal human trafficking organization and are looking for two others in connection with an international labor trafficking ring. The police rescued 64 Mexican nationals who were lured to Canada with the promise of good jobs, but instead were made to live and work in “deplorable” conditions and feared deportation if they spoke out.

The trafficked men and women worked at farms, factories, and warehouses and were taken from their living quarters to their workplaces on private buses. The foreign laborers described living in overcrowded conditions, with dozens of people sleeping on mattresses on the floor, a lack of food, a lack of privacy, and bug infestations. They also described forms of coercion and control, which included isolation, a lack of freedom, being financially bound, threats, and sexual assault.

These forms of coercion and control are common, especially in the context of abusive relationships, human trafficking, or other situations involving exploitation. Here’s a brief explanation of each:

1. Isolation: refers to cutting off the victim from their support network, such as friends and family, making them more vulnerable and dependent on the perpetrator. The abuser may do this by restricting their communication, spreading lies, or constantly monitoring their interactions with others.
2. Lack of freedom: The victim may be restricted in their ability to make choices or engage in activities they enjoy. This can involve controlling their daily routines, limiting their access to transportation, or preventing them from seeking employment or education. This reinforces the victim’s dependency on the perpetrator.
3. Being financially bound: The abuser may control the victim’s finances by taking control of their income, restricting access to bank accounts, or accumulating debt in the victim’s name. This financial dependence makes it difficult for the victim to leave the situation or seek help.
4. Threats: The perpetrator may use threats of violence, harm, or other negative consequences to manipulate and control the victim. These threats can be directed at the victim, loved ones, or pets. The fear created by these threats often causes the victim to comply with the abuser’s demands.
5. Sexual assault: is a form of abuse where the perpetrator forces or manipulates the victim into unwanted sexual activity. Sexual assault can be used as a tool for power and control, leaving the victim feeling violated, traumatized, and powerless.

It’s important to note that these forms of coercion and control can occur in various contexts and to varying degrees. Victims may experience multiple forms of control simultaneously, and the severity of each form can vary depending on the situation.

The police believe the main operators of the ring have been arrested and are urging Canadians to inform police if they suspect employers are exploiting foreign laborers.

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(This post was primarily generated by Copy.ai, and additional content was created using ChatGPT. It was grammar-checked using Grammarly, edited, expanded, and validated by a real human. The featured image for this post was generated by Midjourney using the prompt: “a crime against humanity, modern human trafficking, digital art, hand drawn” )