News release: February 22, 2024
Peel Region Partners with OneChild to Combat Human Trafficking
BRAMPTON, ON (Feb. 22, 2024) - In honour of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day today, Peel Region’s Anti-Human Sex Trafficking Program proudly announces a collaboration with OneChild, the first organization empowering a movement of children and youth to act against the sexual exploitation of children, including child sex trafficking, through prevention education, advocacy and mobilization, survivor care, and survivor empowerment.
As part of this commitment, Peel Region will be amplifying OneChild's '#Beh1nd the Scr3ens' message in Cineplex movie theatres across the region. ''#Beh1ndTheScr3ens' is the first-ever, nation-wide, youth-led awareness campaign against child sex trafficking. It was created by youth, and informed by Meta, to educate youth about how predators like sex traffickers try to take advantage and exploit children and youth, especially online.
Peel Region works in tandem with community partners, and various organizations throughout Peel and the Greater Toronto Area to combat human trafficking and minimize victimization. To delve deeper into our initiatives, explore the Peel Human Trafficking Service Providers Committee, engage with the Peel Anti-Human Sex Trafficking team, or visit the Region's strategy to combat human sex trafficking, please visit Human sex trafficking (peelregion.ca)
Our partnership with OneChild builds on the partnerships Peel Region has formed to support a comprehensive approach in the fight against human trafficking, which includes support for victims and awareness efforts that prevent victimization. We’re pleased to help OneChild expand understanding of those behind human trafficking and the methods they use to exploit people so that all people are empowered to recognize, prevent, and eradicate this heinous crime.
Sean Baird, Commissioner of Human Services, Peel Region
#Beh1ndtheScr3ens was born out of the desire to bring critical awareness to children on how they can quickly fall prey to online predators, and the resources available to report cases and seek support. These videos have been used as a prevention tool for law enforcement, agencies, and in classrooms to spark discussions with students. Now, we are delighted to be collaborating with Peel Region to ensure, yet another efficient way to reach children before predators do.
Cheryl Perera, O.Ont, LL.D, Founder and President, OneChild
Media contact
Alessandra DiCosola
Communications Coordinator
Peel Region
About Peel Region
In 2024, Peel Region marks its 50th anniversary. Peel Region works with residents and partners to create a healthy, safe, and connected Community for Life for approximately 1.5 million people and over 200,000 businesses in Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon. Peel's services touch the lives of residents every day. For more information explore peelregion.ca and follow us on X @regionofpeel and Instagram @peelregion.ca.
On December 13, 2023, the Ontario government announced that Peel Region will not be dissolved, and that Bill 112 legislation will be updated to reflect service delivery in Peel. Services for residents and businesses will continue without interruption. For updates and more information, visit Peel's transition page.
