Protecting survivors of human trafficking

Overview

The Protecting Survivors of Human Trafficking Act protects vulnerable Albertans at-risk of being trafficked and strengthen a survivor’s ability to get away from physically, emotionally and financially damaging abuse.

This act is a key part of our action plan to combat human trafficking. Police reported 228 incidents in Canada in 2018 – 12 were in Alberta.

Key changes

The act will:

• adopt internationally-recognized definitions of human trafficking regarding:
  • forced labour
  • sexual exploitation, and
  • trafficking of organs and tissues
• make it easier for survivors to get protection orders
• enable police to take quicker action to rescue survivors
• allow survivors to sue traffickers
• create a human trafficking awareness day in Alberta

The act also contains innovative measures unique to Alberta:

• adding a warrant permitting entry to help remove trafficking victims from unsafe situations
• including pet provisions in human trafficking protection orders

Resources

• Application for a human trafficking protection order
• Human trafficking protection order form
• Application to extend, set aside, or vary a human trafficking protection order

Next steps

The act received royal assent and took effect on May 12, 2020.

News

• Bill 8: Protecting Survivors of Human Trafficking Act (April 7, 2020)
• Statement on Human Trafficking Awareness Day (February 21, 2020)