SWAN: the Hidden Harms of Human Trafficking, Dr. Hayli Millar & Dr. Tamara O'Doherty

1. The Palermo Protocol and Canada: The evolution and
human rights impacts of Canadian anti-trafficking laws
Hayli Millar & Tamara O’Doherty, School of Criminology and
Criminal Justice, University of the Fraser Valley
SWAN Vancouver Society, ‘The Hidden Harms of Anti-Trafficking: Critical and
Evidence- Based Perspectives on Human Trafficking to Enable Ethical and Responsible
Anti-trafficking Efforts’, 15 October 2015, SFU Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings,
Segal Centre, Room 1430, 7:00 to 9:00 PM

2. 2
Our Study
General Scope
Purpose & Objectives
Methods
Image URL: http://www.cyber-rights.org/news/palermo.jpg

3. 3
Legislative Findings: UN Trafficking Protocol
Image URL: http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/images/a/a3/Trafficking_graphic_3.JPG
1. History/intent & main provisions: debates about migration
2. Debates during negotiations: sex as work v. sex work as exploitation
3. Post-Palermo effects of anti-trafficking measures: ‘collateral damage’?

4. 4
Legislative Findings: Canadian Trafficking Offences
IRPA section 118
Criminal Code sections 279.01-.04
Departures
IRPA: excludes purpose & applies to
transnational only
Criminal Code: excludes means &
provides a unique standalone definition of
exploitation (‘fear for safety test’), but
applies to domestic & transnational
Conflation
Trafficking and sexual exploitation
Legislative Amendments
1. 2010: Bill C-268
2. 2012: Bill C-310
3. 2014: Bill C-36 PCEPA
4. 2015: Bill C-452 [not yet in force]
 Increase from 3 to 6 offences
 Increase in penalties, including
consecutive sentences [section
279.05 not yet in force]
 Presumption of exploitation [not
yet in force]

5. IRPA & Criminal Code Prosecutions 2007-2014
03 A
01 MV
01
MV
11 C
11 OLO
04 C
02 OLO
Sentence range: 24
months less one day
(Vilutis, 2009) to 105
months custody
(McFarlane, 2012)
One case of migrant
women involved in
sex work in Ng
(2007); acquitted on
trafficking-specific
charges
Convictions OLO Mixed Verdict Total
2007 0 1 ----- 1
2008 3 0 ----- 3
2009 2 1 ----- 3
2010 1 1 ----- 2
2011 1 2 ---- 3
2012 4 1 ----- 5
2013 1 8 ----- 9
2014 3 2 2 7
Total 15 16 2 33
Human traffickers
going unpunished in
Canada, experts say
Case Findings

6. 6
Interview Findings
Politicization & Knowledge
Production
Conceptual and Definitional
Challenges
Factors Affecting
Investigation and Prosecution
CJS Personnel
Recommendations
IMAGE MODIFIED BY @PHOTOGRAFFEE AS PART OF AN ADVOCACY
CAMPAIGN
HTTP://TWICSY.COM/I/SBBTWI

7. 7
Moving Forward: Project Recommendations
Empirically-based knowledge
production
Complexity of migration &
trafficking
Open & inclusive dialogue
Massage parlour, body rub investigation
leads to 11 deportations
Canada Border Services Agency to
deport women working in Canada
without a valid permit
CBC News Posted: May 08, 2015 3:23 PM
ET Last Updated: May 08, 2015 3:26 PM ET
Ottawa police say 11 women will be deported
after a human trafficking investigation into
commercial massage parlours and body rub
facilities.
Police say they investigated 20 locations from
April 27 to 29 resulting in 11 bylaw charges for
improper licensing.
Canada Border Services Agency also detained 11
women for immigration-related matters who
appeared for admissibility and detention
hearings last week.
Rights-based framework &
access to justice
Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/massage-parlour-body-rub-investigation-leads-to-11-deportations-
1.3067083

8. Thank you
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WOULD OTHERWISE LIKE TO DISCUSS THIS
RESEARCH, PLEASE CONTACT THE PRIMARY RESEARCHERS FROM UFV AT
HAYLI.MILLAR@UFV.CA AND TAMARA.ODOHERTY@UFV.CA.