In Thunder Bay, Ont., raising awareness about human trafficking is crucial, as it has one of the highest rates in Canada, with 8.0 incidents per 100,000 population compared to the national average of 1.5. Cindy Paypompee, co-chair of the Thunder Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking, highlighted the need for education and resources to help vulnerable individuals. The coalition, formed in 2018 and operating without funding, aims to create materials to inform the community about signs of trafficking. Students from Lakehead University’s social work program also collaborated on advocacy efforts to demystify the issue, emphasizing its complexity beyond media portrayals.
