#NotInMyCity campaign targets human trafficking at Calgary’s airport

About 500 ‘white hat’ volunteers will be key to new initiative to rescue victims

The Calgary International Airport is partnering with Paul Brandt’s #NotInMyCity campaign to fight sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

The airport will run public awareness campaigns, promote #NotInMyCity branding and messaging throughout the airport, and continue to train staff and volunteers to identify those in distress.

Bob Sartor, president and chief executive of the Calgary Airport Authority, said millions of people come through the airport each year, making it the “ideal place to raise awareness.”

“We have a secret weapon at this airport and it’s called white hat volunteers,” said Sartor.

“They are actually trained to see people who are in distress — usually these are people who can’t find their gate or don’t know which direction to go, but distress is distress. We expect to have close to 500 white hat volunteers this year. They’ll be a pivotal part of this campaign.”

Women and children are more likely to be sexually exploited, and Calgary police chief Roger Chaffin said there are telltale signs of potential victims.

“You look for things like withdrawnness that you’ll know instinctually something’s wrong with the way that person is moving on the street or the people that they’re with,” said Chaffin.

“She looks afraid, she looks uncomfortable, they’re manipulating her in a way that someone needs to pay attention.”

So far this year, said Chaffin, under the service’s Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act program, they’ve identified about 10 individuals.

“Generally, in any given year, we’re seeing numbers around in the high 20s … so we’re on track again this year for the same thing,” said Chaffin.

“That does speak more to the lack of reporting and the lack of coming forward … for every one that comes in, it’s a great story but we certainly believe there is a lot more out there.”

Brandt, the founder of the campaign, said it’s great to see all the major players come together, building a momentum that’s growing to a national level.

He said as awareness continues to grow, the next steps will be implementing five strategic directions, including work with Indigenous groups.

“They represent four per cent of the national population of Canada, yet over 50 per cent of our human trafficking victims.

“It’s very exciting for us to know the rights of victims are being kept in the centre,” added Brandt.

“We’re wrapping around and doing everything we can to try to rescue people and create awareness around sex trafficking, sexual exploitation, especially of children.”

In any given year, we’re seeing numbers in the high 20s … so we’re on track again this year for the same thing.