FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CALGARY, February 28, 2007 – The Future Group applauds the Federal Standing Committee on the Status of Women report released on February 27, 2007, Turning Outrage into Action to Address Trafficking for the Purposes of Sexual Exploitation in Canada. It is the first comprehensive study of this problem in our country by the government, recognizing a national response is required immediately.

“This report’s recommendations will have a meaningful positive impact in the lives of human trafficking victims and bring traffickers to justice, but only if they are implemented,” said Sabrina Sullivan, Managing Director of The Future Group. “We cannot allow this report to sit on a shelf and gather dust, but rather, move towards action.”

The Future Group appeared twice before the Standing Committee to provide expert testimony. The organization is pleased to see some key issues discussed and addressed through the report’s recommendations, including: measure to combat child sex tourism and trafficking of persons in Canada, the development of a Canadian Counter-Trafficking Office (CCTO) – which The Future Group proposed to the Standing Committee, and, the necessity for funds to support and implement recommendations.

Only one person has ever been convicted under Canada’s child sex tourism laws, Donald Bakker in Vancouver, a prosecution that is largely considered to be accidental. Currently, there is an opportunity for the Canadian government to investigate the serious allegation against a Canadian on attempted rape charges against a beggar girl in Cambodia. For details on these reports please refer to www.thefuturegroup.org.

Gaps remaining in the report include the lack of serious scrutiny over the Interdepartmental Working Group on Trafficking in Persons, established in 1999, which has failed to produce a national plan in response to combat trafficking in persons during this period. The new CCTO could be accountable for this planning, but will need the appropriate funding to be realized.

The Future Group is a leading Canadian non-partisan, non-governmental organization founded in 2000 that specializes in combatting human trafficking and has worked with victims in Southeast Asia, West Africa and Latin America.

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For more information, please contact:

Sabrina Sullivan

Managing Director

The Future Group

(403) 612-0396                  www.thefuturegroup.org