Understanding the issue
What Is Human Trafficking?
Clear, careful language matters. This page offers a general, dignified introduction to exploitation and trafficking, and how StCF supports women affected by it.
What Is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation, harbouring, or control of individuals through force, coercion, or deception for the purpose of exploitation, including sexual exploitation.
Trauma, and the Hope Beyond It
Women we serve often face trauma, addiction, instability, and isolation — but they also find hope, community, and examples of women who have rebuilt their lives, restored relationships, and now help others.
How We Use Language
Language in this space is precise and often debated. Here is how StCF understands and uses these terms — not as a form of agreement, but as a way to explain the experiences of the women we aid.
Sex Work
Generally used by advocates to describe consensual acts between adults.
Sex Trade / Exploitation
We use this term where consent is unclear, or where individuals are pushed or coerced into it by necessity — such as addiction or poverty — as a way to pay bills or survive.
Transactional / Survival Sex
An exchange of sexual services that can happen with or without a third party controlling the person for financial gain.
Trafficking
A third party is controlling, recruiting, or harbouring a person by force, coercion, or fraud.
We do not use this wording as a form of agreement, but as a way to share an explanation of the women we aid.
How StCF Supports Women
Whatever a woman’s experience looks like — trafficking, survival sex, addiction, or trauma from exploitation — StCF offers trauma-informed counselling, exiting support through our Trauma Wellness and PEARL programs, and practical help that reduces the barriers standing between her and safety.
If any of this feels familiar
You don’t have to have the right words for it. You just have to reach out.