Hanging beside notices for upcoming events, bulletins from the RCMP warning Ukrainian newcomers about the danger of human trafficking taking place throughout the Okanagan are posted in KelownaB次元官网网址檚 Ukrainian churches.

Andrea Malysh, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Thompson Okanagan, explained that the abuse is typically related to forced labour or sexual acts.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is a charity that advocates on behalf of Ukrainians at all levels of government. The congress sent the bulletins on trafficking to Ukrainian cultural centres in the Okanagan and has resources in English and Ukrainian

Samantha, the victim services lead with the Elizabeth Fry Society, an organization that helps survivors of abuse, said that she is not surprised that displaced Ukrainians have been targets of trafficking.

B次元官网网址淭he people who do this are very skilledB次元官网网址� they are looking for a target, they are looking for people who are vulnerable.B次元官网网址�

Most of the people seeking refuge from the war in Ukraine in the Okanagan have been matched up with a vetted host. However, some, due to desperation, enter into living arrangements with hosts who are not part of a regulated organization.

Malysh wants Ukrainian newcomers to know that host families should not ask to be compensated with labour, sexual favours or pay in exchange for shelter.

B次元官网网址淚f people are offering to be a host, it is volunteer. You should not be asked to pay.B次元官网网址�

Samantha said, people who are reluctant to engage with authority are vulnerable, due to a lack of money, a poor understanding of the language and the local laws, and are alone, therefore creating an increased risk of becoming trafficked.

B次元官网网址淎bout half of the cases we see are refugees who are promised one thing when they get here,B次元官网网址� said Samantha.

She said that initially, the host will take the newcomerB次元官网网址檚 passport and identification under promises that they are B次元官网网址渟afe.B次元官网网址�

Samantha explained that the trafficker will B次元官网网址渂rainwashB次元官网网址� their victim by telling them lies. She said the abuser will say, B次元官网网址渢his is better for youB次元官网网址� The police wonB次元官网网址檛 help youB次元官网网址� IB次元官网网址檓 the only one that IB次元官网网址檓 the only one that will help youB次元官网网址� IB次元官网网址檓 the only one that understands you.B次元官网网址�

Malysh said that people have also been trapped by promises of work. The people will end up having to pay off a debt and are never paid or have their money taken.

B次元官网网址淭here are predators out thereB次元官网网址� there are people out there who will take advantage of the vulnerable,B次元官网网址� said Malysh.

Other people are trapped in a situation where they have to repay their hosts by working as a nanny or housekeeper and doing jobs for them, said Samantha.

Samantha said that people can look out for red flags of human trafficking including an inability to leave without supervision, when someone speaks for them, identifying tattoos or branding, and when basic needs like food and clothing arenB次元官网网址檛 taken care of but they have extravagant gifts like jewellery.

B次元官网网址淚f in your gut you feel like something is wrong, say something,B次元官网网址� said Samantha.

To report suspicious activity call the at 1-833-900-1010, or call 911.

To learn more, the Canadian RCMP has developed a guide for Ukrainian newcomers that is available at, and has additional resources online.

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Jacqueline.Gelineau@kelownacapnews.com
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