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Human trafficking survivor to tell her story in Algoma

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Human trafficking survivor Leona Skye Grandmond is scheduled for two public appearances in the Algoma region to help educate and dispel myths surrounding human trafficking.

The first presentation will take place at Ecole Secondaire Catholique Jeunesse-Nord auditorium in Blind River on Oct. 18. The second will be at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 182 in Thessalon on Oct. 19. Both presentation will begin at 7 p.m.

For more information, please see the news release issued on behalf of East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police and Victim Services of Algoma:

Human Trafficking is a growing and concerning crime in Canada and we are seeing it here in our local communities. Human Trafficking is the second largest crime in Canada, bringing in $150 billion per year. In Canada, 80 per cent of victims are young girls and women born and raised in Canada. But there is hope, through public presentations at the community level, bringing awareness to our vulnerable persons.

The East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Victim Services of Algoma are teaming up to bring a survivor of this horrific lifestyle to Blind River, Elliot Lake and Thessalon Oct. 18, 19, and 20, 2022. The goal is to have Leona deliver numerous presentations: Grades 7-8s because the average recruitment age is 12-14 years old, secondary school students to make them aware of the process of recruitment, and to our Indigenous communities as they are extremely vulnerable to being victimized by this crime.

"We are excited to partner with Victim Services of Algoma to bring Ms. Skye Grandmond to the East Algoma area. Human trafficking is widely misunderstood by the public and surrounded by many myths. By educating our youth and raising public awareness, we hope to dispel myths about what human trafficking really is and empower vulnerable people to avoid victimization. I'd like to thank Ms. Skye Grandmond for sharing her story with our communities." - Inspector Tyler Sturgeon, commander, East Algoma Detachment

The keynote speaker is Leona Skye Grandmond, a survivor of human trafficking. She will help discern and dispel the myths and misinformation around human trafficking. Two presentations for the public will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 18, 2022, at Ecole Secondaire Catholique Jeunesse-Nord Auditorium, 117 Youngfox Rd. in the Town of Blind River; and at 7 p.m. Oct. 19, 2022 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 182, 18 Algoma St. in the Town of Thessalon.

For more information, please contact Provincial Constable Bev Gauthier at 705-356-2244 ext. 7155 or email: [email protected]