Contrary to common misperceptions that sex slaves are brought here from impoverished countries, 63 per cent of Ontario’s victims of human trafficking are Canadian citizens, says the organizer of a York Region awareness event on human trafficking.

Females make up 90 per cent of victims, with 63 per cent ranging in age from 15 to 24. About 24 per cent entered trafficking through pimps falsely portraying themselves as boyfriends and 96 per cent of victims have experienced multiple forms of violence, Stephanie Jackson said.

“I think the perception, especially in a lovely suburb-type area like York Region, we don’t think something this dark and heinous is happening here. It’s always something that we would see in the news that is happening in Cambodia or Africa or just somewhere else but not that a culture that is sophisticated and privileged should be facing this kind of issue,” she said, adding Newmarket and Markham appear to be “targeted” communities for human trafficking.

“But the reality is that it does happen and it is happening more and more. The Internet is a proponent in it. There is a dollar figure, and it’s really disgusting to say this, but each girl who is trafficked represents about $125,000 a year (in income for the trafficker).”

Jackson is organizing She’s Not For Sale on March 28 in Whitchurch-Stouffville.

It will feature keynote speaker Casandra Diamond, who will draw on her past experiences in the sex industry and her position now as director of BridgeNorth, a program of Grace Church in Newmarket that helps women trapped in prostitution, sexual exploitation and trafficking.

Marianne Deeks, a youth worker and speaker with faith-based charity Youth Unlimited, will talk about building resiliency in youth and point to ways parents can talk to their children about sex, pornography, social media and self-esteem.

“I think the thing that’s most important is that we understand what our kids are doing online and what’s happening with regards to their social media life. Being aware of who’s following your kids and who they’re connected to, I think we often just assume they’re fine, they’re in our house, we can see everything, we understand it,” she said.

“But we’re giving them this machine that literally has access to everything in the world at their fingerprints … We have to recognize who they’re talking to and who’s following them. If you’re in Grade 5 or 6 or even Grade 10 and you have 1,000 followers, who are they?”

While it’s important not to go overboard in assuming every child or teenager is at risk, it’s crucial to talk early and often to your children about appropriate behaviours and risks, and to also recognize that vulnerable youngsters are most targeted by predators, Deeks said.