Edmonton’s International Airport says it has opened a “safe room” to serve as a dedicated space for victims of human trafficking or domestic abuse.
Human trafficking involves recruiting, transporting, holding, or controlling a person to benefit from them through sexual exploitation or forced labour, according to the federal government. Traffickers can make up to $280,800 per victim each year, the Alberta Centre to End Trafficking said. Victims can be as young as 13 years old.
The room at the Edmonton airport is a “secure, private and comforting area” where individuals experiencing trauma or crisis at the airport can stay, according to the airport news release. It has couches, a bed, a kitchenette, and a full bathroom.
It will also include other resources such as fresh clothes, food, phones, and internet, the airport said.
Carmen Donnelly, vice-president of passenger experience and terminal operations for the Edmonton airport, said airports are “uniquely positioned” to disrupt human trafficking as they are the “source of travel.”
“Strengthening and advancing our human trafficking program is crucial to staying ahead of evolving threats, improving survivor support and enhancing prevention efforts,” Donnelly said. “We have the power to say ‘not in my city’ and ‘not in my airport,’ and to take action that will disrupt human trafficking.”
The Calgary Airport Authority has a similar space called the “soft room” that provides a safe place for victims of human trafficking to wait for help. The airport has also been working with #NotInMyCity on education programs about human trafficking, according to the organization.
Edmonton airport staff and partners can take human trafficking awareness training sessions that have been developed to tie into the opening of the safe room, according to the release. The airport said the more people that are aware of the signs to watch for, the “stronger the resolve” to end human trafficking.
Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis said he was pleased by the Edmonton airport’s actions to “support those in need.”
“Alberta’s government is also working closely with the Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons to strengthen our province’s capacity to prevent, identify and respond to human trafficking,” he said.
Ellis said the government would continue to “forge strong partnerships” with law enforcement, community organizations, and other government entities.
The grant is for community organizations that help raise awareness of human trafficking, as well as those that provide emergency aid to victims and support to survivors, the government said.
The funding will help reduce the risk of victimization and re-exploitation, improve the capacity of organizations to respond to trafficking, and increase specialized support to those affected, the province said.
The money was in addition to $3.5 million allocated for 21 anti-trafficking organizations in February 2024.
