Community Partners Unite to Combat Human Trafficking across the Region

Human Trafficking is a serious crime that often goes unnoticed, but communities in Grey and Bruce Counties are taking action. The CSWBP Crime Prevention Action Table in partnership with the Joy Smith Foundation and Violence Prevention Grey Bruce are raising awareness about the dangers of human trafficking and providing resources to help prevent this crime.

Short-term rentals (STR) owners and operators can play a crucial role in preventing human trafficking by recognizing signs, implementing preventative measures, and reporting suspicious activity. There is a growing trend of traffickers using STRs due to the greater possibility of anonymity. This initiative educates STR owners and operators on how to identify potential trafficking situations and respond appropriately to protect their communities and properties.

Key Warning Signs of Human Trafficking in Short-Term Rentals

• Frequent use of short-term rentals
• Last-minute bookings and multiple bookings that are in the same area
• People arriving and departing from your property with minimal luggage not appropriate for the length of stay
• Individuals that appear to be under the control of another person

How to Deter Human Traffickers from Choosing your Rental

• Screen bookings carefully including guest reviews from other STR
• Don’t accept last-minute bookings
• Install cameras on the outside of your property to record those coming and going
• Do not allow guests to have unregistered guests on your property
• State clearly in your listing that you are committed to preventing human trafficking and other illegal activities

Human Trafficking affects communities across Canada, and awareness is the first step in preventing it. By educating STR owners/operators and the public, Grey and Bruce Counties are working together to create a safer and more informed community.

Thank you to our many community partners for their collaboration and dedication in supporting the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan and this initiative. Together, we are working to build a safer, healthier, and more inclusive community.

To access the Short-Term Rental Anti-Human Trafficking resource for your area please visit: Resources - Community Safety and Well-Being Planning

What is the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan (CSWBP) Grey-Bruce?  

Community Safety and Well Being Planning helps organizations improve the things that keep us healthy, happy, and safe. Together, we use research to create solutions focused on education, health care, food, housing, income, crime, and belonging. It is important that we create a welcoming community where problems are solved before they happen and where different professionals and community members come together to help people now and in the future. 

The ongoing work of CSWBP is supported by an advisory committee representing over 78 partners from across Bruce and Grey who are working together to address crime prevention by investing in social development, prevention, and risk interventions. This upstream preventative model focuses on creating protective factors that make individuals less vulnerable to crime and victimization.  

For more information, contact:

Rob Hatten, Communications Manager
Grey County
519-373-1592
robert.hatten [at] grey.ca (robert[dot]hatten[at]grey[dot]ca)

Aaron Stauch, Director Government Relations
Corporation of the County of Bruce
519-881-1782
aferguson [at] brucecounty.on.ca (astauch[at]brucecounty[dot]on[dot]ca)
 

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