Photo: Hope Restored Canada Facebook page
A local safe house for women and youth affected by human trafficking is receiving $1.2 million in funding through a partnership between the federal and provincial governments.
Hope Restored Canada is the only agency of its kind in the province. Executive Director Joeline Magill says the facility is full, and the funding will benefit the various programs offered there.
These include financial management, cooking classes, parenting help, counselling sessions, and anything else that one might need when trying to get their life back on track. Magill adds that the duration of a typical victim’s stay at HRC varies, as some are only there for a few days, whereas others stay for 18 months.
Magill says since 2019, HRC has helped over 55 women and youth escaping sex trafficking and exploitation. She adds that although Saskatchewan sees some of the highest levels of human trafficking in Canada, it is very hard to spot.
“It’s not something that we visibly see within our communities. It is someone as front-line members, people who work very closely with the police, we are recognizing that this is making a huge impact within our community,” Magill acknowledged. “Statistics Canada have come out with reports saying that Saskatchewan has one of the highest rates per capita of HT incidents happening.”
She attributes this to systemic issues such as a lack of both education opportunities and sustainable housing. Overall, in 2023-24, Saskatchewan is investing over $27.5 million in interpersonal violence supports and services.
Hope Restored Canada Executive Director Joline Magill
