Lacing up to stomp out human trafficking

Ride for Refuge to stomp increasing crime This year's Ride for Refuge supports Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions anti-human trafficking efforts.

It's one of the most pressing problems facing Simcoe County and Muskoka, and now is your chance to lace up and make a difference.

This year, Barrie will again participate in the national Ride for Refuge event, a bike or walk event that supports various local initiatives across the country that are focused on promoting the values of safety and freedom.

For the first time, Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions will be the charity benefiting from the annual event, with funds going towards the organization's anti-human trafficking initiatives.

"It's a cycling or walking event so folks in the community can choose to come and ride for a short distance or walk for a short distance and then help us raise dollars to help us with our initiatives against anti-human trafficking," said Jerome Ben Tolila, the manager of communications and community relations for Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions.

According to officials with the local support agency, Simcoe County and Muskoka are ranked amongst the worst areas for human trafficking in Ontario, which is said to be due to reasons including the proximity to Hwy. 400, having many rural communities and being a tourist hotspot.

The co-chair of Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions' anti-human trafficking leads group says the agency sees a large number of both parents and kids impacted.

"It's a daily encounter that we are getting calls from the community, whether it's schools, hospitals, police with people, and especially our kids and the social media online that are affected by human trafficking, sex trafficking to be specific," said Pamela Deshaies.

The agency will use funds collected through this year's ride or walk for initiatives, including tattoo branding removal, safe housing options and transportation, amongst other needs.

The event is set to take place on Oct. 5 at 4 p.m., starting at the Barrie Community Sports Complex on Nursery Rd. in Midhurst.