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TORONTO — Organizations that work with victims of human trafficking are urging the Ontario government to adopt a private member’s bill to take immediate action to address what they call a crisis.

“Sex trafficking is a growing and significant issue in Ontario,” said Cynthia Bland, founder of Voice Found, a survivor-led non-profit that educates people about commercial sexual exploitation.

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“The average age when most girls are trafficked into prostitution is 14, and many don’t even recognize that they’ve been trafficked until it’s too late.”

Simone Bell of Ottawa, a victim of trafficking, said she frequently came into contact with police, nurses, doctors and social workers during her four years as a prostitute, but felt they judged her on her appearance and never offered her any help.

The average age when most girls are trafficked into prostitution is 14, and many don’t even recognize that they’ve been trafficked until it’s too late

“My plight was invisible to the many provincial systems and front-line workers who should have protected me,” said Bell. “(They) missed many opportunities to intervene and help extricate me from the exploitive situation. How can you come forward when people are making you feel ashamed?”