Buckspring Foundation

Our purpose is to find and fill gaps to end exploitation and humantrafficking, specifically among young girls in Canada. Humantrafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada, but remains largely invisible. Governments, law enforcement, parents,front-line workers and individuals are often unaware of this crime and the signs of it. Human trafficking prospers in secrecy so traffickers are motivated to keep this lucrative business hidden.Our young people, specifically Indigenous girls, are vulnerable and parents are unprepared – and often victims are unaware they are being exploited. From governments to grassroots, we act boldly to ignite awareness, instill hope and inspire action to end exploitation and human trafficking in Canada.

Ignite Awareness
Our first priority is always helping anyone see the depth of this problem and how it impacts real people. Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crime in Canada; it’s destroying lives and the signsso often go unnoticed. We all deserve to know what’s going on in our cities.

Instill Hope
No matter how bad the situation has become, there is much we can do. Victims can be free of their trauma and addictions.Families can be restored. Governments, law enforcement and agencies can take meaningful steps forward. There is hope.

Inspire Action
Our final priority is to make change and fill gaps through the actions of many. Solving this crisis requires many different government entities, businesses, front-line workers and more to act in step together. We are a connector and coordinator of massive action across many organizations and individuals.

We have seen success in creating community collaborations to enhance leading practices in law enforcement and crown prosecutions, providing e-learning platforms and educational tools to help citizens better identify indicators of trafficking and working with local businesses to champion this cause with their audiences.

By working through existing service delivery organizations we ensure that our programs are accessible, inclusive and safe. We are careful to avoid duplication of already available information. Our e-learning platform is offered at no cost and was developed with community educators, highly regarded educational institutions and key community organizations. Currently, we are fundraising to translate the e-learning program into French and Indigenous languages. We are also working with various Indigenous Nations to find the best way to share indicators of human trafficking, helping the community to identify and disrupt trafficking in their communities.

While human trafficking can affect anyone, over 50% of trafficking victims in Canada are Indigenous, despite only representing 4% of the national population. Indigenous kids and those in care are over-represented and incredibly vulnerable to being trafficked. Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing crimes nationally and globally, generating billions of dollars annually around the world, second to illegal arms trafficking and the drug trade.
The majority of children and youth who are victimized by sexual exploitation are female, and there is growing sexual exploitation of LGBTQ2+ youth and new immigrants to Canada. Children and youth often don't realize they are being trafficked and they tend to hide their victimization. They are reluctant to come forward and tell a parent or trusted person. Drugs and alcohol can play a key role in sexual exploitation and trafficking situations; sometimes as a way to cope with trauma or as a way for victims to support a drug habit. Traffickers often control victims with the administration and/or provision of drugs.

Recruitment can happen anywhere, including before, during and after school, online or in-person in areas where youths like to hang out including shopping centers, concerts, parks, fast food restaurants, and coffee shops. Exploiters also “shop” for their victims online. Since 2016, reports of online sexual exploitation have increased by 616%.

The primary beneficiaries of your donation will be girls. While human trafficking can affect anyone, over 50% of trafficking victims in Canada are Indigenous, despite only representing 4% of the national population. Indigenous and new immigrant girls and those in care are over-represented, and incredibly vulnerable to being trafficked.

With your support, we can provide education, raise awareness and create a safer community for youth.