Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Response Impact Report 2025 by The Salvation Army

Impact Report 2025

LETTER OF GRATITUDE Dear Partners in Justice, In 2025, our commitment and desire to end modern slavery and human trafficking (MSHT) in Canada and Bermuda deepened and found new expressions. It was a year of meaningful impact, new opportunities and immense expansion. As the Territorial Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Response (MSHTR) Committee completed their fifth year of engaging in our Fight For Freedom strategy and priorities, we focused on action following our earlier year of realignment and integrating our approach to MSHT in all of our work. This meant tackling some considerable goals, finding and engaging skilled passionate people to join working groups and take leadership of those groups and listening to God’s call and direction while walking and working through the challenges and complexities of what we do. It has been an amazing journey of discerning, learning, adapting, pressing in and focusing. Our 2025 MSHTR Impact Report highlights the progress we have achieved in year five of our strategic plan. We celebrate this progress and give thanks to God for allowing us to partner with him in our work, as He leads, guides and focuses our efforts. We cannot express enough our respect and appreciation for all MSHTR front-line workers, leaders with lived experience, partners and people stepping out of their comfort zone to learn. Each of you are freedom fighters, agents of change and an essential part of the solution. We honour you! With sincere gratitude,

The Territorial MSHTR Committee, Canada and Bermuda

This report, including its data and personal stories, is shared with permission in accordance with ethical storytelling principles.

KEY AREA #1: Raising Awareness. Educating People. We believe that effective and intentional awareness, education and training is needed to mobilize people in Canada and Bermuda to end MSHT.

IN 2025: ▪ Salvation Army personnel throughout the Territory attended 57 community events* to raise awareness about MSHT ▪ 128 people enrolled in our online, self-paced Introduction to MSHT Certificate while 310 have completed since it’s launch in 2022 ▪ 87 employees and officers were provided training in MSHT *Community events included: teaching about signs, risk factors, and methods of recruitment; sex, labour, child trafficking, and early and forced marriages; trauma-informed care; our Fight For Freedom strategy and MSHT response work.

EDUCATING AND RESOURCING We want all Salvation Army personnel to be aware of and to recognize MSHT signs, risk factors and methods of recruitment while having a basic understanding of the needs of survivors. These short videos have been developed to help educate, inform and spread awareness:

Signs Highlights common signs that could indicate a person is being impacted by MSHT.

Risk Factors Risk factors that could increase the potential of a person or community to be trafficked or exploited.

Grooming Shines a light on the grooming process often used in MSHT situations.

Scan to watch the videos

TERRITORIAL MSHTR COMMITTEE GoodWorks@Work Campaign, National Recycling Operations The Salvation Army Thrift Stores, National Recycling Operations (NRO) once again joined forces with the Territorial MSHTR Committee for its annual GoodWorks@Work Fight for Freedom Campaign, held from February 22 to March 22, 2025. This year, NRO teams across 93 thrift stores helped raise an impressive $93,470 and engaged more than 37,500 donors nationwide, spreading awareness far and wide. These funds provided crucial support to eight key initiatives that deliver essential services to survivors and advance prevention efforts. Among them are Sarah’s Place in Winnipeg; Illuminate in the British Columbia Division; Correctional and Justice Services in London, Ont.; Family Life Resource Centre in Ontario; Brave Events & Outreach education in the Prairie region; SAFE Hub in Ontario; the Shine Resource Initiative; and the Step Up for Justice Youth Challenge. Beyond fundraising, NRO also strengthened its commitment to education and awareness. During MSHT Awareness Month in January, employees were encouraged to explore resources on The Salvation Army’s Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Response website to better recognize signs of exploitation, understand traffickers’ tactics, and learn practical ways to advocate for change. Additionally, all NRO Thrift Stores were provided with a list of local MSHTR Advocates to contact when someone needs help. Thanks to the dedication of NRO employees and the generosity of donors, meaningful progress continues to be made in the fight against human trafficking. Together, we are helping ensure that survivors have access to the compassionate support, safety, and resources they need to rebuild their lives with dignity, strength, and hope.

KEY AREA #2: Preventing MSHT. Engaging in Outreach. The Salvation Army believes that MSHT prevention is possible and is uniquely positioned across Canada and Bermuda to drive meaningful change. In 2025, we provided 17,462 instances of outreach occurrences through case management meetings, accompaniment to services, access to support networks, and court proceedings. Additionally, 378 individuals with lived experience received these essential services, reinforcing our commitment to empowering and protecting survivors. There were 33 prevention programs & events across the Territory that resulted in having 2,527 people attending.

PREVENTION OF THE DEMAND The Salvation Army’s sex buyer accountability programs (SBAP) in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Ottawa and London (Ontario), are community-based alternative measures program offered to those who have been arrested as consumers and/or purchasers of sex. These full-day programs seek to educate sex buyers on the realities of prostitution and human trafficking. The goal is to provide accountability and education while addressing the demand for paid sex as a means of preventing and abolishing the sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of women and children.

What Are They and How Do They Help?

These programs seek to hold sex buyers accountable while educating them on the lasting harm caused to women experiencing prostitution, sex trafficking and/or sexual exploitation. As part of the program, participants learn about gender socialization and the inequalities that exist between men and women in the world, where women are commodified and objectified in various contexts (in pornography, prostitution and mainstream media, for example). These classes provide a space for women who have experienced sex trafficking and exploitation to tell the realities of the sex trade and the harm it causes. Hearing from women harmed by sex trafficking and exploitation has helped participants understand the part they’ve played in perpetuating this harm, while gaining insight into the inherent dignity and worth of survivors. SBAP help create changes in behaviour, thinking and decision-making that can be passed on to their sons, with an impact that reverberates for generations.

Demand Reduction in Action

Significant efforts were made in demand reduction strategies against sex trafficking and exploitation. Personnel from across the division and beyond attended and supported the “Prosecuting Demand: Deterring Sex Buying and Exploitation” conference November 24 & 25, 2025 in Winnipeg. This is the second annual national gathering, hosted by Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, and again brought together key stakeholders and law enforcement to strengthen cross-sector collaborations in addressing exploitation at the national level.

IMPACT IN NUMBERS Sex Buyer Accountability Program (2025)

Referrals: 124 Completed Successfully: 101 Did Not Complete: 11 Ongoing Cases: 12 5

PRAIRIES AND NORTHERN TERRITORIES DIVISION Awareness, Connectivity & Collaboration The Salvation Army continues to strengthened its connectivity and collaboration in responding to MSHT. 2025 has brought new opportunities for awareness, education and front-line engagement in the fight against exploitation with measurable impacts throughout the division: Alberta Through leadership of The Salvation Army personnel in Grand Prairie, the Rotary Interact Youth Club planned and hosted “Voice for the Voiceless” on June 6th. This was a live concert with local artists and musicians coming together and raising awareness on Human Trafficking. The event attracted 240 community members with proceeds going to local agencies engaged in anti-trafficking work. In June of 2025, The Salvation Army opened 5 Transitional Housing beds at the beautiful West Campus in Calgary along with newly renovated transitional housing units for women made possible by the Combatting Trafficking in Persons grant. These ensure safe healing spaces for survivors of human trafficking.

Saskatchewan Early May 2025 The Salvation Army Saskatchewan MSHT Response Facilitator was invited by the Athabasca Health Authority to present at a series of awareness meetings during their circuit of three northern fly-in communities of Stoney Rapids, Black Lake, and Fond du Lac IR. Over the week of engagement there were 5 sessions with health professionals; 7 discussions with various students/classes in the three schools; 2 meetings with law enforcement and 4 meetings in the community all totaling an attendance of 233 adults and youth present discussing and learning about the exploitation of human trafficking. The Salvation Army youth in Saskatoon entered & won the MSHT Step Up for Justice Youth Challenge Event by hosting the online series for discussion and out of that creating the video “Step Up for Justice Trivia Night”. The Salvation Army Saskatoon congregation was invited to gather and watch the videos and engage in dialogue in response to each of the recordings.

Manitoba The Salvation Army in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, has been engaging the community in learning about MSHT and responding through various events in 2025. A Brave event for female youth earlier in the year to inform and equip them against exploitation/trafficking. In October a community awareness evening with discussions on how trafficking works, who is most at risk and what we can all do about it. There has been an increase in sex and labour investigations involving multiple persons victimized.

KEY AREA #3: Supporting Survivors. Responding Holistically. Once survivors of MSHT have exited months or years of victimization, they need diverse and holistic services that recognize the unique trauma they have experienced as they work to rebuild their lives. ▪ 378 survivors supported and served through our four MSHTR focused ministry units

GENDER DISTRIBUTION

AGE DISTRIBUTION 3%

31% 60%

227 - Female

367- Over the age of 18

117 - LGBTQ2S+

11- Under the age of 18

34 - Male 97%

MSHT SURVIVORS SUPPORTED BY THE SALVATION ARMY IN 2025: 65%

276 - were experiencing sex trafficking and sexual exploitation 92 - were experiencing labour trafficking and labour exploitation

32%

10 - were experiencing a forced marriage

In 2025, The Salvation Army provided 7,890 nights of housing to survivors.

“Anne’s” Story In February, we celebrated Anne (name changed for privacy) as she moved from our Transitional Housing Program for Survivors of Human Trafficking into her own home in the community. After years marked by exploitation, addiction, and instability, Anne found safety, stability, and the support needed to begin rebuilding her life. During her time in the program, she focused on healing, building healthy relationships, and gaining confidence in her future. Today, Anne is living independently, maintaining employment, and continuing her recovery journey. She now hopes her story will encourage other women to believe that change and healing are possible. Scan to Read the full Story

BRITISH COLUMBIA DIVISION Illuminate Illuminate is The Salvation Army’s Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking primary response initiative in British Columbia. Leading the way in 2009, The Salvation Army Illuminate opened the first high‐security, rehabilitative safe house for survivors of trafficking in Canada. Since opening our doors, we have received thousands of referrals from individuals seeking not only a safe place to stay, but the wrap‐around supports essential for exiting exploitation and building a life defined by dignity and freedom. Guided by the voices and needs of survivors, we have continued to expand our services. In 2020, we opened the Propel Survivor Development Center, offering non‐residential supports to any trafficked person in Canada. Through virtual and in‐person programming, survivors receive personalized support that helps them navigate their next steps toward healing. Illuminate is a recipient of Canada’s Department of Justice Excellence in Victim Services Award, recognizing the impact of our innovative and groundbreaking work with survivors. This impact is made possible through strong collaborative partnerships and the generosity of donors who share our commitment to end human trafficking. Thank you for standing with us in this work. Together, we look forward to another year of advancing safety, stability, and hope for survivors everywhere. With deep gratitude, Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Response Team - BC Division

Sex Trafficking Survivor, Aaron: "I've gained a lot here. I'm gaining more confidence to go about and do things myself and get things done. I'm feeling like I'm really safe. Like I'm able to get my own routine. Like I'm able to talk to you guys and come to you guys. I know I need to learn to build independence and do stuff on my own, but I'm equally grateful that I know you are there in case an issue comes up. I feel I’m gaining emotional stability here. And the support with all my stuff, like legal, medical, housing, etc., that is also so valuable."

Scan to Read the Illuminate Impact Report

KEY AREA #4: Partnering with Others. Advocating for Change The Salvation Army recognizes that real, long-lasting change in the fight against MSHT cannot be achieved alone. In 2025, The Salvation Army engaged in 72 internal and external partnerships and taskforces, collaborating to support survivors through collective programming and projects, provide education and awareness via classes and webinars, advance prevention efforts and referrals, address demand reduction strategies and strengthen advocacy initiatives. Ontario Lobby Day - November 26, 2025 The Salvation Army participated at Lobby Day in Toronto along with attending at the invitation to meet with the Ontario Solicitor General to speak about our experiences with human trafficking. With a Canada wide footprint and trusted presence in vulnerable communities, The Salvation Army encounters disclosures of both sex and labour trafficking through its housing programs, shelters, settlement services and community ministries. This frontline experience informs its policy recommendations to Ontario as well as other municipal, provincial and the federal government. For Ontario Lobby Day, discussions were focused around celebrating Ontario’s Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy 2025-2030, while also suggesting areas for enhancements. Two main recommendations included: • The inclusion of survivor support for those trafficked for the purposes of labour exploitation. The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking (CCEHT) hotline data shows a 317% increase (2020–2022 baseline to 2024), often involving multiple victims due to workplace based exploitation. • The enforcement of the laws of section 286.1 of the Criminal Code of Canada – obtaining sexual services for consideration. Purchasing sexual services is illegal yet demand reduction is not clearly articulated or enforced in most jurisdictions in Canada. Targeting buyers through enforcement and education is essential to disrupting sex trafficking networks.

ONTARIO DIVISION Others Ministry In Brazil In a collaboration between young adults in the Toronto area and in Brazil, Lt. Mirna Dirani led the teams as they came together in Brazil for training, prayer & worship, and outreach into 5 schools across 4 cities through the OTHERS ministries about the signs and red flags of sex and labour trafficking. Over 500 students were reached with information about human trafficking and exploitation which resulted in receiving disclosures from 20 youth. Students were provided with a small string bag, Step Up for Justice stickers and key chain with the QR code that took them to a resource page with emergency contacts information and notes that they could have on them when needed.

“Our group went to a very small village unfortunately known for exploitation, where conditions were extreme and poverty was visible everywhere. We walked around, spoke, prayed with people and passed out MSHT awareness materials. The visit ended at a school where we were spontaneously moved to ask God’s protection over the village and to move into this place. Upon the moment of our landing back in Toronto with our phone signals back, the chat group updated. The Salvation Army leader from that area sent us a news article of a house being demolished in that village the day after we were there. This was a house where exploitation of children and drug trafficking was happening. The authorities got the children out, arrested the traffickers and demolished the building. God assured us that we should never be afraid to step into dark spaces because we are not going in alone.”

TERRITORIAL MSHTR COMMITTEE Leadership Team ONTARIO

TERRITORIAL Dianna Bussey Chair, Territorial MSHTR Co-ordinator thq-msht@salvationarmy.ca

Aura Burditt Ontario Southwest Regional MSHTR Advocate ont-msht@salvationarmy.ca

Valerie Pavey Territorial MSHTR Advocate, Children and Youth Specialist valerie.pavey@salvationarmy.ca

Greg McInnes Ontario East Regional MSHTR Advocate ont-msht@salvationarmy.ca

Captain Angelica Hernandez Ontario Central Regional MSHTR Advocate ont-msht@salvationarmy.ca Claire Dunmore Territorial Community Mission Secretary claire.dunmore@salvationarmy.ca

PRAIRIES AND NORTHERN TERRITORIES Kathy Blindenbach Co-Chair, Alberta MSHTR Advocate abnt-msht@salvationarmy.ca Annamaria Babuskova Prairies and Northern Territories Divisional MSHTR Advocate pra-msht@salvationarmy.ca

ATLANTIC Stacey Dlamini Territorial MSHTR Advocate, TFWP and Labour Exploitation Specialist stacey@youngable.com

Stephen Moorgen Saskatchewan MSHTR Facilitator stephen.moorgen@salvationarmy.ca

FOR QUESTIONS AND INQUIRIES FOR:

BRITISH COLUMBIA Major Sandra Rowsell British Columbia Divisional MSHTR Advocate bc-msht@salvationarmy.ca Jenea Gomez British Columbia Divisional MSHTR Advocate bc-msht@salvationarmy.ca

Newfoundland and Labrador nl-msht@salvationarmy.ca Bermuda bm-msht@salvationarmy.ca

If you suspect a person may be a victim of modern slavery and human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at: 1-833-900-1010 SA JUSTICE MSHTR Canada and Bermuda website: salvationist.ca/trafficking

New Beginnings Not that long ago, things were feeling so bleak, hope a leaking balloon, anchored by depths of defeat. Trying to weather the storms, that continued to come my way, drowning in the overwhelming emotions, leaving me with so little to say. One day I turned a corner, and saw what was before me, a blessing so full of abundance, with a future that could finally be. It was more than the building you see, that stood so invitingly and strong, it was a place for women to call home, a place to finally belong. Filling the interior of walls, with lives, hopes, and dreams, are women who have so much fight in them, and strength just bursting at the seams. The Salvation Army is always doing so much, for its community all around, showing a lot of compassion, creating hope in leaps and bounds. However these transitional houses that hey recently opened, is definitely in the winning, because besides being a safe place to live, for us women, it’s a brand new beginning. BB Young