Fund Workshops to End Trafficking in Canada

Dear Friends,

As summer turned to fall, Aura Freedom continued to build momentum in our mission to end gender-based violence (GBV) and human trafficking (HT). This past quarter was filled with community training and systemic advocacy — all rooted in survivor voices and the belief that prevention is central to eradicating human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and gender-based violence as a whole. 

Building Knowledge & Capacity

Throughout these past few months, we expanded our frontline education and awareness efforts in York Region and beyond. We delivered three frontline training workshops in partnership with organizations such as Sandgate Women’s Shelter, the York Region Centre for Community Safety, and the York Region Child, Youth, and Family Tables. Through our workshops and events, we connected with over 800 individuals, including frontline workers, educators, survivors, and youth - helping them strengthen their understanding of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. What stands out most is not only the number of people reached but the meaningful conversations that followed. Participants shared how these sessions reframed their perspectives, challenged harmful narratives, and provided concrete tools they could immediately apply in their work and daily lives.

Many highlighted the importance of learning about prevention strategies, systemic barriers, and survivor-centred approaches, perspectives that are often missing from public conversations. In fact, several participants shared that they were already witnessing rising trends of trafficking and peer-to-peer recruitment within their communities and organizations, underscoring both the urgency and relevance of this training.

Advocacy & Systemic Action

Beyond direct trainings, Aura Freedom has been a consistent voice in policy spaces this quarter. Particularly to human trafficking and sexual exploitation, we conducted an analysis of both Canadian and Ontario governments, who made announcements on their efforts to address human trafficking in recognition of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. 

Aura Freedom has been actively working to ensure Ontario’s Bill 41 on coerced debts in human trafficking supports real economic justice for survivors. Together with partner organizations, we submitted joint recommendations calling for survivor-led, trauma-informed, and equity-based implementation. Their advocacy emphasized expanding what counts as evidence of coerced debt, using trauma-informed adjudicators, and protecting survivors from lender retaliation. In our own submission, Aura Freedom underscored coerced debt as a tool of exploitation, stressed the importance of restoring survivors’ financial autonomy, and proposed concrete, accessible, and non-adversarial processes that uphold survivors’ dignity and rights.

These initiatives ensure that survivor-centred and trauma-informed approaches are shaping laws, services, and public understanding.

Strengthening Partnerships

Partnerships remain the heartbeat of our work. Through our frontline trainings, attending community events, and conducting collaborative advocacy, we have continued to expand our reach, deepen the trust our communities have in our work, and create sustainable pathways for prevention and survivor support.

This quarter also marked the launch of the Ontario GBV In The Media Network — a groundbreaking space bringing together journalists, survivors, advocates, and GBV professionals to transform how violence is portrayed in the media. Importantly, the Media Guidelines created in the first iteration of our project contained a section for those reporting on Sex Trafficking.

Looking Ahead

As we move into the final months of the year, our focus turns to the 16 Days of Activism. We will have a number of campaigns, events, speaking engagements and more during this time. We’re also preparing to release our City of Toronto research on the root causes of trafficking — research that was informed directly by survivors and community voices.

And on December 1st, our Holiday Silent Auction will launch in support of our life-saving programs such as this. 

None of this would be possible without you — our community of supporters on GlobalGiving. Your generosity fuels prevention education, advocacy, and survivor-led change. Together, we are imagining and building a world free from violence.

With gratitude and solidarity,
Aura Freedom International