Teen girls were targeted and sexually exploited, Calgary police say

WARNING: This article contains distressing details and may affect those who have survived sexual exploitation or know someone affected by it.

Police have charged a 21-year-old man from Calgary after a human trafficking investigation revealed teenage girls were being targeted in the city.

The investigation, which was led by Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT), revealed that teenagers were being sexually exploited and coerced into engaging in sexual activities.

"We believe the accused was targeting young, vulnerable teen girls, forcing them into sexual situations, directing their movements, advertising sexual services, and taking their money," said Cpl. Wayne Williams of the ALERT human trafficking unit in a release.

ALERT is working with a 15-year-old victim and is seeking more information from other members of the public.

The ALERT team is providing all the "necessary support and resources" to the victim and is encouraging other survivors to approach them with any relevant information.

"It is our understanding that this has been occurring for the past year, and we have reason to believe that he may have exploited others," Williams said. "We want to reassure other survivors that it is safe to come forward and that their information is valuable."

The accused, whose next court appearance will take place on June 16, has been charged with multiple offences, including:

• Sexual interference.
• Material benefit from sexual services of a person under 18.
• Drug trafficking.
• Making child pornography.
• Distribution of child pornography.
• Extortion by threats.

The Calgary Police Service's child abuse unit is also involved in the investigation, which was started in March.

It's crucial to increase awareness around difficult topics like human trafficking and sexual abuse, according to Theresa Jenkins, executive director at the Reset Society of Calgary, an organization that supports girls and women who've survived sexual exploitation and trafficking.

"Everyone should be aware of it," Jenkins said. "It can happen to anybody … there's no stereotypical person that [this] happens to."

She added that perpetrators often use threats and other manipulative tactics to target victims.

"Somebody sees they're vulnerable. Somebody takes advantage of that," she said.

Support is available for survivors of sexual assault. You can access crisis lines and local support services through this Government of Canada website or the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. If you are in danger and need immediate support, call 911.