Walk for Freedom to combat modern-day slavery

By Tamas Miko

Residents of Windsor-Essex County join together to raise awareness on a global issue present in the community.

Over 100 people from the community participated in the A21 Walk for Freedom event to raise funds and awareness. The walk started at Dieppe Gardens on Riverside Drive at 10 a.m. on October 20.

The non-profit organization, called A21, is determined to stop human trafficking by raising awareness through intervention and aftercare. A21 is currently operating in 14 countries and aims to combat modern-day slavery through a variety of strategies, such as reach, rescue and restore victims life. Modern-day slavery is a $150 billion industry and only one per cent of the victims are rescued.

According to Statistics Canada, Canadian police services reported 340 incidents of human trafficking in 2016. Between 2009 and 2016 there were 1,220 reported incidents across Canada. Victims often cannot reach out for help because they are in a physically, socially vulnerable position. Physical or psychological techniques are used to intimidate victims by increasing the sense of isolation and dependence, by removing forms of identification or threatening family members.

Walk for Freedom was hosted by a group of local business women: Pascale Colucci, Abigail Page VanHoren and Julia Welch. Other agencies and community partners  present include Windsor Life centre, WEFiGHT, Youth Diversion, Windsor and LaSalle Police Services and Ontario Provincial Police.

“I had vivid dreams where in my dreams I’ll be rescuing victims out of trafficking,” said Colucci. “This is how this whole passion and desire to being involved in human trafficking got birth.”

Colucci hosted the event and said she has been planning it over the last two years. According to Colucci, this is the first time they has been organized the A21 Walk for Freedom in Windsor. The A21 was launched 10 years ago and the Walk for Freedom is a new global event each year. Colucci is content with the first results of the walk.

“We are so proud to be hosting the first walk ever in our city,” said Colucci.

Colucci wants to continue educating the community about this global issue and said people are more than welcome to join A21. Colucci plans to have another walk next year and is hoping more people will join the event.

“Next year will be the second walk and I’m hoping it will be bigger than this year,” said Colucci.

ConstableCealia Gagnon from Windsor Police Services was present. Gagnon said services are available for people whether it is sex or labour trafficking, but victims often stay silent and do not want to come forward to talk about it.

“We should be raising awareness like this because it is happening and it is here,” said Gagnon.

Gagnon said it can happen to youth and adults. According to Gagnon, it is good to know about modern-day slavery in the community.

“It is good to support it locally,” she said. Gagnon also said people who are able to reach for help should call 311 because services are available for them.

“Make sure you report and reach out because we are here to help,” said Gagnon.