'There is change happening': Cross-Canada events call for end to human trafficking
A small gathering was held on the steps of the Legislative Building in Regina on Friday morning to raise awareness of human trafficking.
At the same time, similar events were happening at seat of government in each province and territory to mark United Nations World Day to End Trafficking in Persons, which started in 2014.
"This is a part of Project Maple Leaf, which was started by a 16-year-old survivor, Kelly Tallon Franklin and she wanted Canadians to be aware that its children that are being sexually exploited and this is a way that we stand with her," Beatrice Wallace, the Regina ambassador for Project Maple Leaf, said.
Wallace is also a survivor of human trafficking, which happened when she was 14 years old in Regina.
"It was about eight years ago when I came out with it because it was such a hidden shame," she said. "Now I want to advocate for our younger generation that we are here for you and I’m going to personally do everything in my power to prevent children from being sexually exploited."
While the issue of human trafficking remains in Saskatchewan and across Canada, Wallace said supports in place for victims has improved.
"People are talking about, before people weren’t talking about it, survivors are coming forward and saying, 'this happened to me and it’s not acceptable'," she said.
"There is change happening."
According to the Government of Canada, 97 per cent of human trafficking victims are women and girls, and 45 per cent are between the ages of 18 and 24.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca