Protective Factor #1:

Learn What a Healthy Relationship Looks Like

Many people grew up in families where healthy relationships weren't modelled or where there was intergenerational trauma. That makes it hard to identify an unhealthy relationship later in life.

A healthy relationship has:

• Open communication and honesty
• Mutual respect
• Boundaries
• Safety
• Enjoyment
• Acceptance
• Ability to resolve conflict
• Separation of identities

These elements of a healthy relationship can be applied to all relationships whether it be with romantic partners, peers, co-workers, friends or family

Protective Factor #2:

Understand Consent vs. Coercion

Consent is a necessary part of a healthy relationship. Being in a relationship with someone doesn’t give them automatic access to your body or the right to abuse or violate you in any way.

Coercion involves manipulating, blackmailing, pressuring, threatening, intimidating and/or guilting someone until they give in to a sexual act.

It’s important to know that:

• Consent given under coercion is not consent.
• Coercion is often used to obtain consent in situations of human trafficking – but this consent is not legal.
• Anyone under the age of 18 cannot legally consent to sex work in Canada.
• Sex trafficking is not a choice – it is abuse, coercion, manipulation, and internationally recognized as a form of slavery.

Protective Factor #3:

Learn How to Stay Safe Online

Staying safe online is important to preventing sex trafficking.Yet, 38% of Toronto youth said they feel unsafe online and 73% said they have had online interactions with someone they didn’t know.

How to stay safe online:

• Change your privacy settings.
• Do not accept friend or DM requests from people you don’t know
• Turn off your location.
• Block anyone who is abusive, rude or inappropriate.
• Avoid sending photos of yourself that are nude or have identifiable features such as your face or a tattoo.
• Know that sexual exploitation can and often does start online.

How to Prevent It »