A Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-Led Joint Forces Strategy (IJFS) investigation has led to the arrest of a 40-year-old Barrie man.
The investigation, nicknamed Project CHANCE, began in January of this year when an international female student was allegedly exploited in the sex trade through an online advertisement by a company called "Scarlet Room Agency". The company claimed to provide security and training for sex workers.
A second victim has been identified.
Charges include:
- Exercise Control, Direction or Influence of a person,
- Material benefit from sexual services,
- Advertising sexual services,
- Receiving material benefit from sexual services,
- Sexual assault
The accused remains in custody pending a bail hearing on June 7 at the Bradford Courthouse.
The victims are in a place of safety and being provided support. Police believe there are more victims and ask anyone with information to contact the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) at 1-888-310-1122.
If you or someone you know is being trafficked, call your local police. The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking has resources available for victims and survivors of human trafficking on their website at canadiancentretoendhumantrafficking.ca. A national hotline is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-833-900-1010.
IJFS partner agencies who supported this investigation include the Barrie Police Service, Halton Regional Police Service, Peel Regional Police, Toronto Police Service, York Regional Police, Windsor Police Service, London Police Service, Waterloo Regional Police Service and Six Nations Police Service. The Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement Team, Digital Forensic Unit, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) and members of the Orillia OPP Detachment also assisted.
Banner image - file photo - Barrie 360
