Help for human trafficking survivors and victims

Help for survivors and victims

Human traffickers use force or threats to control their victims.

The Protecting Survivors of Human Trafficking Act came into force on May 12, 2020. The act is intended to empower and protect survivors of human trafficking, and provide additional remedies against human traffickers.

Trafficking terms:

• Trafficker: Anyone who used force to make a profit by exploiting another person – typically for sex or labour. Traffickers can be one person working alone, part of a gang or organized crime or even someone who is a victim of trafficking themselves and who is now recruiting other victims for their trafficker.
• Victim – A person being victimized by a trafficker right now.
• Survivor – A person who used to be a victim of human trafficking.

Apply for a Human Trafficking Protection Order

Alberta has laws to protect survivors of human trafficking.

A Human Trafficking Protection Order:

• lasts 3 years and can commence without notice to the respondent (the trafficker)
• prevents the trafficker from any contact with the survivor or their family
• forces the trafficker to return personal property and recordings of the survivor, preventing their distribution
• can include weapon restrictions for the trafficker
• can make sure pets are returned to the survivor
• can be applied for in person or by telephone/video conference by persons as listed

If the human trafficker breaks the protection order they can:

• go to jail for up to 2 years
• be fined up to $50,000

Who can apply

• a victim, or if the victim is a child, a person with lawful custody of the victim
• a director under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act
• a police officer
• others, as listed in the regulation

Survivors can sue human traffickers

• There does not need to be proof of damages.
• There are no time limits so survivors have time to heal before starting a lawsuit.

Police can get a warrant to:

• search for human trafficking victims
• assist and remove a trafficking victim with their consent
• remove child victims

Victims of labour trafficking

Learn about employment standards – rules for employers and employees in Alberta:

• What your employer can and cannot ask you to do
• How to complain if your employer is not treating you right

Additional resources

Connect with a Victim Services Unit

Connect with the Victims of Crime Assistance Program

Other resources: The Women’s Hub offers additional resources and services.

Find out where you can get help and support for court forms.