Over the last couple of days, the public took in two presentations by a survivor of human trafficking to help dispel misinformation and myths surrounding one of the fastest-growing crimes in Canada.
Survivor Leona Skye Grandmond from Niagara Falls, who is also an artist, says her artistic work has helped her move forward on her voyage of recovery from being sexually abused since she was four years old.
Now at 52, she also travels to share her message that it is the young girls and women of Canada who are the major victims, up to 80% are female.
She says the crime is lucrative bringing in around $150 billion a year to criminal organizations.
She also points out that the Trans-Canada is a major conduit for such trafficking, so people are vulnerable across its entire length.
Victim Services of Algoma and the East Algoma OPP teamed up with her to have Grandmond speak to audiences in Blind River and Thessalon this week.