Barrie police are trying to ease concerns after they became aware of recent content posted to social media regarding alleged tagging of vehicles in parking lots, and the concern that suspected human traffickers are doing it.
In a media release on Monday, police said they want to assure the public that there have been no reports or evidence of human traffickers marking vehicles in parking lots to target potential victims.
Police said it is incredibly rare for a stranger to randomly target another stranger for human trafficking.
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"Human traffickers primarily focus on vulnerable individuals and typically engage in a process called ‘grooming.’ This process involves manipulation, emotional abuse, addiction, threats, violence, isolation, and control," the police news release stated.
According to statistics by Human Trafficking in Canada – Ally Global Foundation – 91 per cent of human trafficking victims know their trafficker.
Some signs to be aware of include:
- Sudden changes in behavior, including fear, anxiety, depression or hypervigilance
- Withdrawal from friends, family, or usual activities
- Signs of physical abuse or neglect
- Possession of unexplained gifts, money, or phones
Barrie police said their Human Trafficking Unit focuses on identifying, investigating, and supporting victims of human trafficking.
"The goal of these specialized officers is to end human trafficking, often referred to as 'modern day slavery,' in our community, " police said in the news release.
Police encourage anyone who sees suspicious persons or activity to report it to police by calling the non-emergency line at 705-725-7025 or visiting our website to report vandalism to a vehicle. In the event of an emergency, please call 911 immediately.
