The
Keeping Students Safe policy (PPM 166) sets a strong foundation for Ontario school boards to build local anti-sex trafficking protocols that support coordinated action by community partners. These protocols will help prevent, identify and recognize sex trafficking and develop responses to facilitate early and appropriate intervention. To ensure current, accurate and relevant materials are used to inform this protocol, train staff and educate students, parents and guardians, the policy will be reviewed every 5 years.
Developed in partnership with the Ministry of the Solicitor General and the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, the purpose of this protocol is to promote collaboration with community police services, local child welfare agencies and other community organizations and service providers serving children, youth, and their families to create community-centered anti-sex trafficking protocols.
Welcoming and engaging school environments lead to positive student experiences, especially when families and communities are intentionally involved in the students’ learning. Safe Schools, both physically and psychologically, are a critical element to successfully nurturing positive student experiences.
Due to almost daily contact with students, teachers and other education staff are well placed to educate on prevention and promote healthy relationships, notice troubling changes in behaviour, and connect with students as caring adults. By training staff to recognize the signs of sex trafficking, they will be better equipped to identify the cues and safely intervene if they suspect a student is being trafficked or involved in trafficking. Education can also serve as a key factor in helping survivors of trafficking heal and rebuild their lives, helping to prevent re-victimization and resetting students on a healing trajectory towards positive outcomes.
