[I left my bartender/server position at the casino for smaller, fine dining restaurant which I can walk to in 20mins, ride my bike to in 8mins and drive to in 4mins (for reasons I can go into later).]
As advised by professionals familiar with the topic, I am embarking on a free online training course to educate myself on the topic that is Human Trafficking. The reading/training is relevant to Canada, however the subject is so broad, complex and disturbing. It touches on the various training I have received over the years i.e parents with addictions and child abuse. It stabs me in the heart as I remember children, young people and parents that I have encountered during my career, who may have possibly been subject to exploitation.
I'm enjoying learning again, despite the scary, harsh reality of the topic.
"Human trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes imaginable, often described as modern-day slavery. This crime robs its victims of their most basic human rights and is occurring in Canada and worldwide. The victims, who are mostly women and children, are deprived of their normal lives and compelled to provide their labour or sexual services, through a variety of coercive practices all for the direct profit of their perpetrators. Exploitation often occurs through intimidation, force, sexual assault and threats of violence to themselves or their families.
Human trafficking is a complex issue with a diverse range of victims and circumstances. In Canada, we have seen instances of trafficking for sexual exploitation and labour exploitation. We have seen both Canadian victims and foreign national victims. We have seen men, women, and children fall prey to this terrifying reality."http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/ntnl-ctn-pln-cmbt/index-eng.aspx
The other occurrence during the past week, is that HG had a circumcision operation. We knew it would be happening but here they seem to give a week/few days notice for hospital appointments. All in all their health services seem quite organised (e.g. a specific centre/appointment for x-rays).
So it's a strange experience for us, as we're usually very tactile with a healthy sex life. I am having to un/dress out of his view and am unable to sleep without a layer of clothing. Holding hands, kissing, even looking at me sometimes... is proving amusing for me, yet painful for him. Luckily it's only a couple of weeks - it made me think about - once again - how lucky we are to have such freedom and control over out own lives/bodies.
In contrast with so many who find themselves in someone else's control and unthinkable conditions.
It's worth exploring the training - maybe there is a UK version. Any of us could be in someone's life long enough to sniff a hint of exploitation - with awareness, intelligence can be gathered but it's such an underground, often mobile operation that it's difficult to pin down.
http://helpingtraffickedpersons.org/training/
