Saving our children: community power

Fourteen-year-old Maya, a bright student in Brampton with dreams of becoming a nurse, thought she had found a mentor in an older entrepreneur she met on Instagram. He praised her ambition, sent her small electronic gifts, and slowly began to isolate her from her Caribbean parents, convincing her they didn’t understand her potential. Maya was psychologically groomed in the safety of her bedroom. This is the modern face of human trafficking, a crime of manipulation and control that is quietly targeting our youth.

For our Caribbean community in the Peel Region, we must dismantle the myth that trafficking is an overseas problem, or something that only happens to troubled kids. In Ontario, the average age of recruitment into sex trafficking is a staggering 13 years old. Approximately 58% of all police-reported trafficking cases in Canada occur right here in Ontario. In the 2024-25 period, Peel Children’s Aid Society (Peel CAS) identified 166 cases where a child or youth was suspected of being involved in trafficking for sexual exploitation.

This crisis is deeply connected to the “Black Boys Missing” situation in Toronto. When our young African Caribbean and racialized men disappear, they are often victims of a predatory system that exploits their need for belonging and economic opportunity. As a community, we must stop blaming the victims. Trafficked youth are being exploited by experts in deception who use psychological leverage to keep them trapped.

The fight against this exploitation is a community movement. This is where nCourage comes in. Peel CAS is helping coordinate our region’s defense through this vital resource. Located at “The Circle: Peel Centre for Child, Youth and Family Well-Being” (also known by its Ojibwe name, Waawiyebii’igan, symbolizing unity), nCourage is a collaboration of over 40 organizations.

nCourage removes the institutional barriers that often prevent families from seeking help. Instead of navigating a confusing maze of offices, families can find a holistic, village-style support system under one roof. nCourage coordinates essential services, including:

• Integrated supports: Expedited access to social services, health, legal aid, and education.
• Survivor centered care: Trauma-informed counseling, dental care, substance use support, and family reunification.
• Collaborative intervention: Real-time partnership between Peel Regional Police, Aboriginal Legal Services, and frontline educators.

To protect our children, we must be vigilant. Signs of trafficking often look like sudden behavioral shifts: a child becoming secretive about their phone, coming home with expensive clothes or new hairstyles they can’t afford, or withdrawing from long-time friends. Ontario’s 2025–2030 strategy is investing over $345 million to ensure survivors have the tools to heal and rebuild their lives.

We must move from a focus on protection alone to a model rooted in prevention and community-led support. If you suspect a young person is being groomed or exploited, do not remain silent. You can reach out to nCourage for confidential, low-barrier support at 905-866-2831, or via email at referrals@ncourage.ca.

Our youth are the heartbeat of our community. By recognizing the warning signs and utilizing resources like nCourage, we ensure that every child in our village is shielded by the strength of their community. Together, we can reclaim our children’s futures and stop the cycle of exploitation before it begins.