Human trafficking is a much bigger issue in Chatham-Kent than most people might think, according to the MPP in Chatham-Kent-Leamington.
MPP Rick Nicholls is holding a town hall meeting on January 17 at the John D. Bradley Centre in Chatham to help better educate the public about the issue.
Nicholls said Highway 401 is the main route used for human trafficking in Ontario and Chatham's proximity to it makes the community susceptible.
"Who would have thought a sleepy little town like Chatham would have those issues, but we do," Nicholls said. "We need to become more aware. We need to be able to capture these predators and lock them up."
The MPP said this is the second local meeting he has organized regarding the issue, with the first one taking place last spring. Nicholls said roughly 50 people were expected to show up at the inaugural event, but there ended up being more than 150 attendees, so he decided to hold a second one. Nicholls expects about 300 people to attend this time and hopes parents will bring their kids aged Grade 7 and up.
"Our young people are the ones falling prey to social media," Nicholls said. "It is a big thing and there are those predators out there. Young people get lured and next thing you know, they're being trafficked. So they need to be aware of the dangers."
The town hall meeting will include presentations by the Chatham-Kent Police Service, Chatham-Kent Victims Services, OPP and a woman human trafficking survivor. Nicholls said she will share her story to better educate those in attendance and to show them the issue is real and how dangerous it can be.
Nicholls said it is just as important for parents to attend as it is for the youth.
"They need to know who their children are talking to and what the passwords for their computers are so they can head off any danger that their children may not be aware of," Nicholls said.
Admission is free and the event starts at 6 p.m. Nicholls said there will be a question period where the speakers will answer any concerns from those in attendance.
