Paul Brandt's Fight Against Human Trafficking

0:00It's April 28th. This is Canada News Today, AI-powered stories from your city. I'm Cory with the story. Country singer Paul Brand, now a top activist fighting human trafficking, is in Montreal hosting a big summit with over 200 police. Investigators and prosecutors from Canada and the UK, his group, not in my city, kicked off their 4th event April 27th through 30th, focused on global teamwork to shut down these. Brand got hit with the harsh reality years ago in Southeast Asia, seeing kids as young as 5 exploited night after night. That sparked him to start not in my city, which trains folks to spot and stop sexual exploitation, especially for youth. The summits, called Madison Sessions, honor a young Canadian victim who died at 21. In Canada, it's more hidden, but way too common. For 4,500 cases reported from 2013 to 2023, 93% of victims are women and girls, with 23%

1:02under 18 and another 42% aged 18 to. 24. Most know their trafficker, often an intimate partner. Traffickers make huge cash, averaging $280,000 a year per victim, grooming targets online or in malls and parks with gifts, before using threats and violence. Just say watch for kids dodging calls, flashing new expensive stuff with no job, or hang with sketchy new friends. Drugs often keep victims hooked. Parents, stale, or talk it out. If you spot signs like someone looking beat down, or without their own ID in public spots, call 9-11 or the hotline at 1833. 900-1010, don't step in yourself. Brands building a network of hope so we can prevent this for good.