This online reporting option is designed to enhance victim safety and accessibility by providing an alternative for individuals who may not feel safe or able to attend a police station in person. Human trafficking victims often face significant barriers to seeking help, and this initiative aims to reduce those barriers while offering a discreet and secure way to reach police.

The Hamilton Police Service recognizes the complex and sensitive nature of human trafficking and is committed to ensuring victims are supported with compassion, dignity, and respect. This reporting option allows individuals to come forward when they are ready, while still enabling police to begin an investigation and connect victims with appropriate supports and resources.

Anyone experiencing or aware of human trafficking is encouraged to use the online reporting tool www.hamiltonpolice.on.ca. or contact police if it is safe to do so. In an emergency, members of the public should call 9-1-1. If someone is not ready to report, but is seeking support, please contact Hamilton Police Victim Services at 905-546-4904.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com

A Hamilton Police investigation has resulted in the arrest of a Hamilton man, for a number of Human Trafficking related offences.

The Hamilton Police Service has arrested and charged, 59-year-old, Gary Leblanc, currently of Hamilton, after an investigation into a report of a sexual assault that occurred between November of 2022 and February of 2023.

Gary Leblanc has been charged with the following:

Hamilton Police believe there may be additional victims as the suspect would target vulnerable youth and transport them in a grey sedan.

If you have any information that you believe could assist police with this investigation you are asked to contact Detectives of the Human Trafficking Unit at 905-546-3828 or the Vice & Drugs Unit non-emergency line at  905-546-3801.

We want all survivors of sexual violence to know that we believe them and we will respect their choice when and how they report an incident.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com

There is no guaranteed way to prevent sexual assault. Sharing the details of this assault is intended to provide the community information, and people are encouraged to trust their instincts. For confidential support, please call the Sexual Assault Centre's 24-hour support line at 905-525-4162; connect at www.sacha.ca, the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre at www.hhsc.ca/sadv or the Centre de santé communautaire www.cschn.

Human trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation, harbouring and/ or exercising control, direction or influence over the movements of a person in order to exploit that person, typically through sexual exploitation or forced labour. 

Over the past week, Hamilton Police entered into an investigation and as a result, a 32-year-old man has been charged for a number of Human Trafficking related offences.

To protect the identity of the victim the name of the accused will not be released.

Human trafficking is an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

In many cases, victims are reluctant to come forward and report human trafficking due to manipulation, fear, threats from traffickers, shame, language barriers, mistrust of authorities or they may not even realize that they are victims of human trafficking.

If you or someone you know is being trafficked, call Hamilton Police at 905-546-4925 or in an emergency please call 911.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com.

The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking has resources available for victims and survivors of human trafficking on their website at http://www.canadiancentretoendhumantrafficking.ca. A national hotline is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-833-900-1010.

Hamilton Police Service Victim Service’s Branch responds to the immediate needs of people who have been victimized by crime and/or trauma, including victims of Human Trafficking.

The Victim Services Branch staff is specially trained to provide practical assistance, emotional support and referrals for additional community resources.

Chrysalis Anti-Human Trafficking Network 1-866-528-7109

The Chrysalis Network offers a free, confidential telephone trauma counselling service to women, men, and youth who have been trafficked/exploited for the purposes of commercial sex or forced labour. They also offer ongoing support to sex workers who do not personally identify as trafficked/exploited. 

On January 19, 2023, Iftikhar Khan and Kendra Baverstock were located in the municipality of Trenton and were subsequently arrested by the Ontario Provincial Police. They have been held pending a bail hearing.

Hamilton Police believe there are additional victims, and encourage them to come forward to police.

Charged: Iftikhar Khan, Quebec resident.

Charges:

·         Trafficking in Persons

·         Material Benefit -  trafficking persons

·         Material Benefit – sexual services

·         Procuring for Sexual Services

·         Advertising Sexual Services

·         Forcible Confinement

·         Fail to comply probation x 2

·         Fail to comply with release order

·         Fail to comply with undertaking

Charged: Kendra Baverstock, Ontario resident.

Charges:

·         Trafficking in Persons

·         Material Benefit -  trafficking persons

·         Material Benefit – sexual services

·         Procuring for Sexual Services

·         Advertising Sexual Services

·         Forcible Confinement

If you are a victim or have information involving this investigation please call Detective Constable Kudo Park at 905-546-3845 in the Vice & Human Trafficking Unit.  

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com

Human Trafficking continues to be an issue in Hamilton, due to easy accessibility along the 400 series highways, which are key pipelines for traffickers. If you or someone you know may be experiencing human trafficking, there are supports available within Hamilton.  Please reach out to Victim Services at 905-546-4904 (24 hours a day) and they can connect you to ongoing supports.

If you have any information that you believe could assist police with the investigation into this crime, you are asked to contact Detective Kyle Jarvie by calling 905-546-3831.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com23 years old

Saturday, May 29, 2021 marks the second anniversary of the launch for the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking hotline and the kick-off for Project Daffodil.

Project Daffodil is a collaborative initiative with the Human Trafficking Unit and the hotel industry in the City of Hamilton.

Hotels are known to be on the frontlines of human trafficking. Research has shown that 75% of survivors report having some contact with a hotel during their human trafficking experience.

In response, Project Daffodil was created to provide public awareness and highlight the obvious nexus between hotels and human trafficking. All hotels in the City of Hamilton were asked to support this initiative by displaying Anti-Human Trafficking signage in their establishments.

The Hamilton Police Service wants to recognize the participating hotels for their commitment in the fight against human trafficking and for ensuring a safe environment for their guests.

For more information on Project Daffodil, please contact Detective Constable Michael MacSween at 905-546-3845 or visit the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking website on how to identify, report and combat this crime.

A 32-year-old Montreal man is facing charges related to Human Trafficking after investigators followed up on safety concerns for a female at a local motel.

On Sunday, September 13, 2020, Hamilton Police officers were alerted to a female in distress at a motel near the Hamilton - Burlington border. Officers responded and located the female. An investigation commenced after she provided information regarding a male that forced her into prostitution. The male was identified as Peter McShane from Montreal. An application for an arrest warrant was submitted to the court system and subsequently granted. McShane was arrested in the Montreal area on Tuesday, November 17, 2020. His matter was addressed at the John Sopinka courthouse on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. 

McShane is facing several charges related to human trafficking offences.

As a result of continued investigation, detectives believe there are additional victims and witnesses who have yet to come forward.

CHARGED

• Peter Luce McShane, 31-years-of-age, from Montreal

CHARGES

• Trafficking in Persons
• Receive Material Benefit
• Advertise Sexual Services
• Forcible Confinement

If you are a victim or have information involving this investigation, please call Detective Constable Kudo Park at 905-540-6379 in the Human Trafficking Unit.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com

A 31-year-old Hamilton man facing criminal charges related to human trafficking was arrested and found to be in possession of drugs and cash. Police believe there may be other victims related to the human trafficking investigation who have yet to come forward and they are asked to contact detectives.

In April 2020, the Hamilton Police Vice & Human Trafficking Unit began an investigation after a victim provided information about a male suspected of human trafficking. As a result of the investigation, the male was arrested and charged with various human trafficking-related offences in May 2020. The male was subsequently released on bail with strict conditions.

Detectives have continued to investigate the male as they formed grounds to arrest him for violations to his bail conditions. On Thursday, September 10, 2020, the male was located and arrested for breaching his court release conditions. During the course of the arrest, police uncovered evidence to support charges related to illicit drug trafficking.

SEIZED

Cocaine valued at approximately $1,100

Undisclosed amount of Canadian currency

CHARGED

Kedine Reid-King, male 31-years-of –age from Hamilton

CHARGES

Fail to comply release order x 6

Possession for the purpose of trafficking – Cocaine

Proceeds of crime under $5000

Through continued investigation, investigators believe there are additional victims and witnesses who have yet to come forward. They are urged to contact police by calling call Detective Kathy Stewart at 905-546-3831 or Detective Constable Kudo Park at 905-540-6379 in the Human Trafficking Unit.

To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com

Hamilton Police have arrested two brothers from Quebec for human trafficking after an investigation into two females being held in the Hamilton area.

On Saturday, February 29, 2020, shortly before 4:00 p.m., Hamilton Police received information from the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline regarding two females in distress. The females were at a local Airbnb where they were forced to work in the sex trade industry. A short time later, uniform patrol officers attended the area of Ferguson Avenue North and Simcoe Street East. Through investigation, police identified and arrested two males. The females were located and taken to safety.

Hamilton Police believe there may be witnesses and additional victims who have not been identified and they are urged to come forward.

CHARGED

• Anthony Dignard, male 21-years-old from Quebec (dark shirt)

CHARGES

• Trafficking in Persons
• Procuring for Sexual Services

CHARGED

• Sulyvan Dignard, male, 22-years-old from Quebec

CHARGES

• Trafficking in Persons
• Material Benefit - trafficking persons
• Procuring for Sexual Services
• Advertising Sexual Services
• Utter Threat to Cause Bodily Harm
• Fail to Comply with Recognizance x 4

The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline has been operating since June 2019. The staff is available to receive tips 24/7 in over 200 languages and can connect victims and survivors with social services, law enforcement and emergency services. All communications are confidential.

If you are a victim or have information involving this case please call Detective Constable Mike MacSween at 905-546-3845 / Detective Constable Kudo Park at 905-540-6379 in the Human Trafficking Unit or the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com

In December 2019, Hamilton Police received information about a 19-year-old male Human Trafficker who persuaded a young woman into the sex trade with drugs.  Police identified the male and issued a warrant for his arrest.

Police located the male on Saturday, January 25, 2020, at an east-end Hamilton residence. He was arrested and transported to Central Custody with his bail opposed. 

Hamilton Police believe there may be more victims and encourage them to come forward to Police. 

Charged: Alex LA (19-years-old) Hamilton resident

Charges:

• Robbery
• Trafficking in Persons
• Material Benefit- trafficking persons
• Procuring for Sexual Services
• Advertising Sexual Services
• Point firearm x 2
• Fail to Comply with Youth Sentence x 2

If you are a victim or have information involving this case please call Detective Constable Kudo Park at 905-540-6379 in the Human Trafficking Unit.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com

On Tuesday, October 8, 2019, with assistance from York Regional and Toronto Police Service, Solomon Houlder was arrested at a residence in York Region. He has been transported to Hamilton and is scheduled to appear at the John Sopinka Courthouse today to answer to several criminal charges related to violent offences and Human Trafficking.

Hamilton Police would like to thank everyone who assisted in this investigation which commenced in November 2018. Solomon Houlder actively evaded police and his arrest is a result of countless hours of investigation, tips from the community and the deployment of resources from three police services.

ARRESTED

• Solomon Houlder, 25-years-of-age of no fixed address

CHARGES

• Assault Level 1 x 4
• Trafficking in Persons x 2
• Kidnapping
• Forcible Confinement x 2
• Material Benefit Trafficking
• Fail to Comply probation x 2

Project Orchid, which included Canada Border Agency Services, City of Hamilton Licensing and By-Law, RCMP Hamilton – Niagara Detachment, Hamilton Police Victim Services Branch and the Ministry of Finance, targeted Hamilton body-rub parlours and personal wellness service establishments to ensure they were complying with their City of Hamilton business license requirements.

Through investigation, the majority of the personal wellness service establishments were found to offer sexual acts which are in violation of the City of Hamilton By-Law. The establishments generally advertise through online ads.

Highlights:

• Three individuals were arrested regarding immigration offences

• Four males were given warnings about paying for sexual services

• One suspected human trafficking victim was identified

• Numerous licensing and By-Law infractions were laid

• One location was advertising on an online escort website

In total, Project Orchid visited nine establishments across Hamilton.

Project Orchid was completed at the same time the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking (The Centre), a national charitable organization dedicated to ending human trafficking, launched the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010. This multilingual hotline is the first-of-its-kind in Canada and is operational 24/7, 365 days a year.

Anyone with information about human trafficking can also contact Detective Constable Mike MacSween at 905-546-3845. To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit anonymous tips online at www.crimestoppershamilton.com.

Police have investigated incidents from November and December 2018 which has resulted in the Hamilton Police obtaining warrants. Alijah will be facing the following charges:

• Assault Cause Bodily Harm
• Assault level 1 x 2
• Forcible Confinement
• Sexual Assault x 3
• Sexual Exploitation
• Trafficking in persons x 2
•  Uttering Threats
• Theft under $5000
• Mischief under $5000 x 2
• Advertising Sexual Services x 2
• Destroying Documents
• Use Stolen Credit Card x 3
• Benefit from Sexual Services x 2
• Procuring for Sexual Services

If you have any information that you believe could assist Police with the investigation into this crime you are asked to contact Detective Constable Laura Skelton from the Human Trafficking Unit: 905-961-1895.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com