Ten persons have been arrested and 32 Criminal Code charges laid by Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) Human Trafficking Unit.
Charges include Obtaining Sexual Services for Consideration from a Person Under 18, Luring a Child for the Purpose of Obtaining Sexual Services for Consideration from a Person Under 18, and Invitation to Sexual Touching Under 16 years of Age.
The period of investigation under Project Firebird stretched from April to September this year, said a police statement.
One incident of note involved an individual communicating with an undercover police operator over a span of five months. Through the course of their communications, the individual arranged to meet in the Durham Region with the officer for the purpose of purchasing sexual services. The individual traveled approximately four hours across the province to facilitate this meeting where they were arrested by police, the statement said.
DRPS is appealing to any person who may be involved in a similar situation or may know someone involved to come forward.
DRPS Human Trafficking Unit engages in proactive initiatives to address the purchase of sex from minors in Durham Region. This includes an investigative project that focuses on individuals interested in purchasing sexual services from person under 18 years of age, as well as the providing education and support to victims or potential victims of these crimes. Project Firebird is an on-going initiative that investigates these kinds of crimes.
A support network for survivors of human trafficking has been established in the Region of Durham. These services can be accessed via www.stopht.com. Parents and caregivers are also encouraged to use the resources found on the website to have open discussions with the minors in their lives about recognizing the signs of human trafficking.
Anyone with any new information about this incident or other incidents, please contact the Detective Constable Eric Heron of the DRPS Human Trafficking Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5600.
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