November 24, 2011
MP Mark Warawa Honours Student-led Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative
MP Mark Warawa hand delivers more than 240 letters to Walnut Grove Secondary School Principal Jim Darby and Grade 11 Students, led by Anna Demian (kneeling front).
Langley MP Mark Warawa hand delivered more than 240 letters to the students of Walnut Grove Secondary School who participated in a federal letter-writing campaign to fight human trafficking. “I read all of the students’ letters while flying to Ottawa,” says Warawa, “and felt compelled to answer each one individually since they took the time to personally write to me.”
Warawa is supporting a student initiative led by WGSS grade 11 student Anna Demian. “There are about 30 of us who are extremely passionate about the issue. People our own age are being trafficked,” says the 16 year old Demian. “It shook my world thinking that someone could be living in enslavement while I am here studying in school. This has compelled us to take action to raise awareness in our school and in the community to make Langley traffick-proof.
Last Friday, Warawa handed the all of the replies to Principal Jim Darby who is very proud of the initiative of his students. “This is indicative about what young people are like today – they have a social conscience about those around them,” says Darby. They took on a project that started with one or two individuals and took off from there and it has had an impact” He called Damien a great example of a young person who found a calling and will change the world.
“The Conservative Government is taking action to stop the abuse and provide support to victims of these crimes,” says Warawa. “We recently introduced the Safe Streets and Communities Act – a collection of ten bills that were stalled or completely blocked by the opposition in the previous Parliament. Included is the ‘Preventing the Trafficking, Abuse and Exploitation of Vulnerable Immigrants Act.’ This legislation will authorize immigration officers to refuse work permits to the vulnerable when it’s deemed they are at risk of degrading treatment. This includes, for instance, sexual exploitation and forced labour.”
“In addition our Government is working on developing and implementing a ‘National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking.’ A countrywide, targeted response to this growing crime is needed to ensure that Canada progresses toward eliminating it for good. Also, we will take action to support organizations providing assistance to victims of this terrible abuse.”
“In fact, our Conservative Government already launched two national anti-trafficking awareness campaigns, “Blue Blindfold” and “I’m Not for Sale,” in 2010. The first initiative is to raise public awareness of the potential dangers of human trafficking, and to provide information to the public on how to use the Crime Stoppers national tip line to anonymously report suspected cases. The “I’m Not for Sale” campaign involves the development of posters to target not only the public, but also potential victims. Canada’s approach to these despicable crimes is that they will not be tolerated.”
