A Huntsville man faces charges after police say he was arrested for "Communicating for the Purpose of Obtaining Sexual Services" in Orillia.
On May 4, the OPP Crime Unit and the Anti Human Trafficking Investigation Coordination Team were notified of a complaint of a man approaching a "vulnerable woman to provide sexual services for money."
The Criminal Code makes it illegal to pay for, or communicate with intent to pay anyone for sexual services. Providing sexual services independently free of exploitation is not illegal under Canadian law explained an OPP release.
Police arrested and charged Tony Orr, 58, of Huntsville with:
- Communicate with anyone for the purpose of obtaining sexual services
- Fraud under $5,000
Orr was released on a promise to appear undertaking and set to appear next on August 18, at the Ontario Court of Justice, Orillia.
Sexually exploitive human trafficking happens in every community in Ontario according to the OPP. The traffickers use manipulation and coercion to recruit individuals, often youth or marginalized populations in society.
"Human trafficking is a profit-motivated crime the consumers of sexual services provide the motivation for the sexual exploitation of vulnerable persons in our society," said Detective Sergeant Andrew Taylor -- OPP Anti Human Trafficking Investigation Coordination Team.
Meanwhile, the Ontario Government is spending up to $46 million over the next five years to increase community-based and Indigenous-specific support for child and youth victims of sex trafficking.
The Anti-Human Trafficking Community Supports Fund and the Indigenous-led Initiatives Fund will prioritize early intervention and increased protection for victims of sexual exploitation and dedicated survivor supports.
“Over the last year, we heard from our frontline agencies, survivors and Indigenous communities and organizations that there is a critical need to increase available supports for children and youth affected by sex trafficking,” said Jill Dunlop, Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues. “Our goal is to build a more comprehensive network of anti-human trafficking services across Ontario, so more victims have access to the supports they need.”
