Conference Presenters - Social Services/Health Care Breakout Session
Shelley Gilbert, Legal Assistance of Windsor and Windsor Essex Anti-Human Trafficking Action Group
Shelley Gilbert has worked at Legal Assistance of Windsor since 2020 and is currently the Coordinator of Social Work Services responsible for social work services and community development initiatives within Legal Assistance of Windsor, facilitating and leading the delivery of interdisciplinary services at Legal Assistance of Windsor, and developing initiatives to fill identified needs, enhance community capacities and promote social justice. Ms. Gilbert is also the Chair of the Windsor Essex Anti-Human Trafficking Action Group (WEFIGHT) providing support and advocacy to survivors of domestic and international human trafficking of forced labour/debt bondage, forced marriage and women trafficked into the sex industry. She has conducted training and workshops for both NGOs and law enforcement as to the identification and provision of service to survivors across the country. She has presented models of collaboration, policy gaps and best practice approaches at national and provincial conferences.
Ms. Gilbert will be speaking to the ongoing challenges of providing case management support to survivors of human trafficking and will address best practice approaches including strengths and needs of international and domestic survivors, establishing collaborations with service providers, and negotiating/navigating the criminal justice system pre and post charges against the offender.
Ms. Gilbert will be speaking to the ongoing challenges of providing case management support to survivors of human trafficking and will address best practice approaches including strengths and needs of international and domestic survivors, establishing collaborations with service providers, and negotiating/navigating the criminal justice system pre and post charges against the offender.
Jennifer Lucking, Walk With Me Canada Victim Services
Jennifer Lucking has been a front-line worker with Walk With Me Canada Victim Services since 2020. In this capacity, Jennifer responds to calls from law enforcement, victim services and other social service agencies to provide first-response care to victims of human trafficking in immediate crisis. She has worked on several high profile trafficking cases, followed court proceedings, and provided front line victim care to over 50 victims of forced labour trafficking and sex trafficking.
Jennifer completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts at Wilfrid Laurier University in Global Studies and Religion & Culture and is currently completing a Masters program in Social Justice & Equity Studies at Brock University where her thesis project focuses on the methods and techniques that are used to recruit Canadian females into domestic sex trafficking. At the conference, Jennifer will be highlighting her preliminary findings of her thesis work. Stressing the importance of understanding various recruitment methods in order to better comprehend the mindset of a victim, Jennifer will discuss how services can be tailored to better suit the needs of victims. Jennifer will also be discussing pimp culture and how media impacts youth's perception of pimping and human trafficking.
Jennifer completed an Honours Bachelor of Arts at Wilfrid Laurier University in Global Studies and Religion & Culture and is currently completing a Masters program in Social Justice & Equity Studies at Brock University where her thesis project focuses on the methods and techniques that are used to recruit Canadian females into domestic sex trafficking. At the conference, Jennifer will be highlighting her preliminary findings of her thesis work. Stressing the importance of understanding various recruitment methods in order to better comprehend the mindset of a victim, Jennifer will discuss how services can be tailored to better suit the needs of victims. Jennifer will also be discussing pimp culture and how media impacts youth's perception of pimping and human trafficking.
Melanie Knights, Walk With Me Canada Victim Services
Melanie Knights is a front line worker and caseworker with Walk With Me Canada Victim Services. Since 2020, she has worked with girls/women that have been trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation. Melanie's work has included first response in partnership with law enforcement and comprehensive/intensive case management. Previously Melanie had worked in the Moss Park/Regent Park neighbourhood of Toronto doing harm reduction outreach and working with girls/women engaged in street level sex work. Melanie has also worked with various vulnerable/high needs populations within the institutional settings. Melanie has a diploma in Addictions - Community Service Worker, certification in Harm Reduction (York University) and a diploma as a Personal Support Worker.
Melanie will be presenting on the benefits of four pillar harm reduction approach and how it keeps this population engaged so they can potentially transition out of sex work.
Melanie will be presenting on the benefits of four pillar harm reduction approach and how it keeps this population engaged so they can potentially transition out of sex work.
Shaziya Vellani, Victim Services of Hamilton Police
Shaziya Vellani graduated from Carleton University with her Honours Bachelor of Arts majoring in both Psychology and Sociology and has currently completed her Masters in Social Work from Laurier University. Shaziya has been a front line worker, working with children and youth with emotional, behavioural, or developmental concerns. For the last 5 years, Shaziya has worked with Victim Services as a Project Coordinator for a pilot project that was developed for victims of High Risk Domestic Violence, and as the Support Worker/Administrator for the Family Violence Resource Unit: Victim Safety Project. Shaziya is currently the Coordinator for Victim Services with the Hamilton Police Service, whose role consists of front line crisis response by responding to victims of crime and tragedy. Over the last few years, the Victim Services Branch has seen an increase human trafficking cases and has provided assistance to victims of human trafficking in immediate crisis.
Shaziya will be providing an overview of how Victim Services works with the Hamilton Police Service and other community agencies to provide immediate and practical assistance to victims of human trafficking.
Shaziya will be providing an overview of how Victim Services works with the Hamilton Police Service and other community agencies to provide immediate and practical assistance to victims of human trafficking.
Survivor of Human Trafficking
One survivor of human trafficking will share her story of being exploited. She will reflect on what services were available for her when she managed to escape, best practices of how she was supported, and what supports/services need to be created or enhanced in order for victims to escape and survivors to thrive.