HUMAN TRAFFICKING & SOCIAL MEDIA INFO SESSION Poster (Image provided by YMCA Owen Sound Grey Bruce)
The Owen Sound Police and the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce are partnering up to host an information session on social media and human trafficking Thursday.
This free event for parents and guardians on Feb. 23 is also open to youth between the ages of 11 and 18, provided a parent or guardian is present.
Owen Sound Police Detective Constable Chevonne Martin says the session will go over local issues surrounding social media as well as human trafficking.
“It will start out with social media awareness. Social media has some very positive aspects, but there is also some negative things that come along with its usage, so it is just an awareness of just some things to keep in mind when using different social media sites like Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram,” says Martin.
She adds the session will then transition into human trafficking. They often see situations which can start through social media before a trafficker sets their sight on a victim.
“We will talk about red flags and signs that people may see to indicate someone may be involved or getting involved in human trafficking,” says Martin. “It is just not a big city or a GTA problem, it is happening in Grey and Bruce.”
The event running from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. is being capped at 50 attendees.
People can register for the event by visiting the YMCA website here, calling the facility, or by visiting the YMCA’s front desk.