A Toronto man has been charged with human trafficking offenses by the London Police Service, which launched an investigation in late January after receiving a complaint from a woman who said she was trafficked in Toronto.
A 32-year-old woman told police that between Nov. 27 and Dec. 20 she was trafficked from Toronto to a house in London, Ontario. The London police report said that the woman was forced to perform sexual and labor-related tasks for the alleged pimp, and that in return she was provided with food, shelter and transportation.
The woman went to a physical exam on Dec. 30, at which time London police officers became involved and began a joint investigation. On Saturday, a warrant was issued for the man’s arrest and he turned himself in to authorities.
Jim Jones, deputy chief with the London Police Service, said that in any case of human trafficking, that those working in the name of justice have to not only be vigilant but have to be very aware of how to understand the kind of abuse and exploitation of human beings.
“It’s quite clear when you look at human trafficking, money’s the central issue,” he said. “It’s a modern form of slavery and it’s happening everywhere and it needs to stop.”
The man was charged with human trafficking, living off the avails of prostitution, living on the avails of prostitution with a minor and obstructing justice.