Police have carried out a series of raids on Vancouver-area massage parlours, making 108 arrests. The parlours have suspected links to human trafficking operations.
CTV.ca News Staff
According to the RCMP, police targeted parlours suspected of having connections to the sex trade, organized crime and human trafficking operations.
"As both Canadians and law enforcement personnel, we are very concerned about people being deceived or coerced into coming to Canada, with the hope of a better life, only to be held in virtual slavery," RCMP Superintendent Bill Ard told a press conference in Surrey.
He added: "It is situations such as these, where there are suspicions of people being victimized, that clearly demonstrate the importance of the RCMP and outside agencies working together, to help protect those who are vulnerable and who do not have an opportunity to help themselves.
The raids were carried out late Thursday and involved police from Surrey, Coquitlam, Burnaby and Richmond. One of the parlours was located in Vancouver.
Twenty-six of those arrested were clients at the parlours, while human trafficking investigators interviewed another 78 women -- many of them described as being Asian or South Asian.
"Of those 78 women, 52 agreed to seek immediate assistance from the provincial victims centre response team," said Ard.
According to Rob Johnston of the Canada Border Services Agency, officials do not deport victims of human trafficking from the country.
"Under the new guidelines and laws these victims can be issued temporary residence permits by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and if in our work we do locate victims we are in immediate contact with the RCMP and with Citizenship and Immigration Canada," said Johnston.
He added that the agency has officers working overseas to prevent victims from being sent to Canada, while "at our ports of entry our officers are trained to try to identify victims."
Victims of human trafficking are also provided with temporary health coverage until they are considered eligible for provincial health coverage.
Other available services can include housing, health care, emergency income, trauma counseling and legal assistance, according to Susanne Dahlin of the B.C. Public Safety Ministry.
"Victimization removes any control that a person has to make decisions for themselves,'' she told the press conference.
"In cases of human trafficking many of these victims will have no knowledge about what the laws of this country are or their options for support."
Robins Pike of the Ministry of Children and Family Development said none of the parlour workers appears to be underage.
No charges have been laid but an investigation is underway.
With files from The Canadian Press
