SCOTT’S SAVING THE GIRL NEXT DOOR BILL GETS MAJOR ENDORSEMENT

QUEEN’S PARK – Ontario PC Women’s Critic Laurie Scott, MPP, received a major endorsement from one of Canada’s leading advocates against human trafficking.
Joy Smith, former MP from Kildonan-St. Paul, and founder and CEO of the Joy Smith Foundation has weighed into the need for Ms. Scott’s private member’s bill.

“I applaud Laurie Scott for this excellent Bill 158, Saving the Girl Next Door Act. It will save lives. It is very innovative and demonstrates the extraordinary leadership Ms. Scott has displayed in this area of human trafficking,” Smith stated.
The Joy Smith Foundation was created to directly fight human trafficking in Canada. Its mission is to ensure that every Canadian man, woman and child is safe from manipulation, force, or abuse of power designed to lure the exploit them into the sex trade or forced labour.
“This reaffirmation of my bill from one of Canada’s foremost experts is paramount. The backing of such a predominant advocate who is fully entrenched with the understanding and the commitment to eradicate human trafficking pushes me to carry this fight forward,” said Scott.
The proposed Saving the Girl Next Door Act will give the law immediate power to enforce protection orders on behalf of the victims against traffickers and to assess punitive measures if breached. The bill also provides a tort to allow victims to seek compensation and for Christopher’s Law to include trafficking as a sexual offence under the age of 18. As well, the bill promotes an awareness day to mark the continued need for discussion and action.